Wood Ducks: Aix sponsa

Appearance:

Wood ducks (Aix sponsa) are perhaps the most beautiful duck in North America. Wood ducks are small to medium sized ducks, with a noticeably crested head. Males are brightly colored, while females are brownish gray. Both males and females have a white patch around the eyes and throat.

Habitat:

Florida is home to both year-round (resident) and migratory wood ducks (those that breed farther north and spend only the fall and winter months here). Wood ducks are admired by people throughout Florida, in fact, they are the most abundant resident wild ducks in the state.

Wood ducks inhabit wooded, brushy, or other vegetated wetland areas. Wood ducks nest in tree cavities near lakes, rivers, ponds, and other wetland areas. Often nest cavities are in short supply which limits the size of wood duck populations. Fortunately, wood ducks readily accept manmade next boxes in place of natural cavities. FWC personnel maintain wood duck nest boxes on public waters throughout the state and also cooperate with private citizens, government agencies, and groups such as local Ducks Unlimited chapters and Boy Scout troops to maintain and erect boxes.

Behavior:

Wood ducks spend most of their time in vegetated or wooded wetlands. This makes them difficult to see and count during aerial surveys, unlike other waterfowl species that inhabit more open-water areas and can be easily counted. Since wood ducks cannot be counted reliably during aerial surveys, populations have been monitored through banding, experimental monitoring of nest boxes, and harvest surveys.

According to assessments by FWC's waterfowl management staff, reproduction of wood ducks in Florida has been typical for the species and higher than for other duck species. The population growth rate for females in Florida suggests a stable population, and Florida wood ducks are harvested at a low rate. In other words, the indicators we have of population status for this species show no cause for concern, and harvest levels appear to be sustainable.

Estimates of harvest and hunter effort are used to help determine whether the harvest allowed by hunting seasons in Florida is compatible with the well-being of Florida's wood duck population. According to estimates from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), hunters harvest an average (2000-2004) of 2,234 wood ducks during the special September duck season and 10,180 during the regular waterfowl season. Previous analysis of banding data indicated that a high proportion of wood ducks that are banded during the summer in Florida and harvested by hunters are harvested within the state. This information helps to support increased hunting opportunity for Florida wood ducks.

View Florida's Wood Duck Banding Totals

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