Wood Ducks
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The top picture shows a female and male wood duck. The white eye patch is characteristic of the female in the front. Males are much more colorful from the tip of the beak to the end of the tail. The green, purple, black and white feathers on the head of the male turn to a more uniform black color during non-breeding season.
Wood Ducks inhabit a variety of fresh water and wetland areas throughout the United States, with breeding occurring during early or late spring, depending on their geographic location. Warmer weather in their southern habitats means an earlier start to the breeding season.
Like Bufflehead ducks, Wood Ducks are one of the few duck species to breed in trees and nest boxes. In fact, Wood Duck populations in the United States have been, at the very least, adequately managed for almost a century because people continue to participate in placing nest boxes in their yards or parks.
While they are considered omnivores, consuming a variety of local plants, insects and seeds, it's important to refrain from feeding them bread during visits to local parks because it offers them very little nutrition.
Wood Ducks are popular game birds, which in turn, causes them to be a bit people shy in the wild. Sometimes you can find them in ponds at local parks and get close enough for good pictures.© 2003-2008 Patricia A. Michaels.