Wood Duck

Wood Ducks can be found in Jefferson County most of the year, being most common in the Spring. Easily one of the most visually impressive birds species, the Wood Duck male and female have striking colors and an oil painting quality in good lighting.

Females have white highlights around the eyes and a more subdued “dainty” appearance. Males are multi-colored with red eyes, brown, green, and chestnut highlights. Both have iridescent rainbow like highlights on the wings - especially visible in flight. Wood Ducks can have two broods per year and the females nest in cavities in trees often 50 feet above the ground. Ducklings drop from the nest from a rather intimidating height and are unharmed, then follow the mother to water which may be a mile or more away from the nest tree. In my experience in the wild, Wood Ducks are probably one of the most attentive and skittish species - very difficult to get close to without spooking. They will tend to prefer cover and are very capable of flying through wooded areas. In addition to having the typical webbed feet like most ducks, Wood Ducks also have claws. Images below with logo and reference number will be available for prints in the future. Images without logo and reference number are for viewing but do not meet my criteria for prints. One image is a photo to sketch conversion.