Ducks and geese (Anatidae)
Wood Duck
Aix sponsa. Seeds, acorns and aquatic insects from shallow water.
Ducks and geese (Anatidae)Wood DuckAix sponsa
- Scientific name
- Aix sponsa
- Length
- 18.5–21.3 in
- Weight
- 16–30.4 oz
- Nest
- Tree cavity or nest box over or near water
- Entrance hole
- 4 × 3 in oval
- Clutch
- 6–16 eggs
- Incubation
- 28–37 days
- Broods
- 1–2 per season
Identification
- Male iridescent green head with white stripes and a red eye
- Female grey-brown with a white teardrop eye-patch
- Crested head and long tail
Voice
Male gives a thin rising whistle; females a loud squealing 'oo-eek'.
Diet and feeding
Seeds, acorns and aquatic insects from shallow water.
Wood Ducks by state and province
| Region | Status | Nesting |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Arkansas | Year-round resident | March–June |
| British Columbia | Summer breeder | April–June |
| California | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Connecticut | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Delaware | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Florida | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Georgia | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Illinois | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Indiana | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Iowa | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Kansas | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Kentucky | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Louisiana | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Maine | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Manitoba | Summer breeder | April–June |
| Maryland | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Massachusetts | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Michigan | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Minnesota | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Mississippi | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Missouri | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Nebraska | Year-round resident | March–June |
| New Brunswick | Year-round resident | April–June |
| New Hampshire | Year-round resident | April–June |
| New Jersey | Year-round resident | March–June |
| New York | Year-round resident | March–June |
| North Carolina | Year-round resident | March–June |
| North Dakota | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Ohio | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Oklahoma | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Ontario | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Oregon | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Pennsylvania | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Quebec | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Rhode Island | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Saskatchewan | Summer breeder | April–June |
| South Carolina | Year-round resident | February–June |
| South Dakota | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Tennessee | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Texas | Year-round resident | February–June |
| Vermont | Year-round resident | April–June |
| Virginia | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Washington | Year-round resident | March–June |
| West Virginia | Year-round resident | March–June |
| Wisconsin | Year-round resident | April–June |
Frequently asked
What do wood ducks eat?
Seeds, acorns and aquatic insects from shallow water. At feeders: cracked corn (on water margins), millet.
How big is a Wood Duck?
18.5–21.3 in long and 16–30.4 oz.
Do wood ducks use birdhouses?
Yes — a 4 × 3 in oval entrance, 10 × 18 in floor, mounted 6–20 ft.
Sources
- Wood Duck — All About Birds, Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Wood Duck life history — Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- Wood Duck — Audubon Guide to North American Birds
- NestWatch nest box plans and species requirements — Cornell Lab
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.