By Marilyn Levand, Wildlife Interpretive Manager
One of the most colorful ducks in Ohio is the wood duck. The male wood duck sports feathers colored in iridescent green and chestnut, with white markings, a big crest on his head, and a striking red eye. The female is not as colorful, but has soft gray-brown plumage, a white speckled breast, a white eye ring shaped like a teardrop, and a smaller crest. The wood duck comes equipped with strong clawed feet that give them sure footing in trees. They are dabbling ducks and feed from the surface of the water, or from short dives. They are strong and fast fliers and can reach speeds up to 30 mph. According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, wood ducks are the second most numerous breeding duck in Ohio, second only to the mallard. So why don’t we see wood ducks as often as mallards?
Wood ducks are secretive and prefer to live in riparian corridors, the large trees that border lakes and ponds, woodlands along streams, and wooded swamps. In late summer after nesting season, the male loses his pale sides and bold stripes appearing more like a female. Then by late November wood ducks migrate to southern states. Wood ducks return to our area in late February and early March; their breeding season here is mid-March to mid-April. A female can lay nine to 14 eggs in one clutch and they can have two broods per season. They nest in tree cavities that can be found from two to 60 feet up in a tree. They also make use of available nest boxes. The day after the eggs hatch, the female leaves the cavity and calls to the hatchlings from the ground. The babies then launch themselves out of the cavity and fall to the leaves or water below. They stay with the female for approximately two months, then they’re on their own.
Sylvia is our resident Animal Ambassador wood duck. Her name means “spirit of the woods,” referring to the wood duck habitat. She was brought in with a leg injury in August of 2017. We soon found out that she was imprinted, lacking the necessary fear of humans, and would not be able to survive in the wild. She started programming with the Wildlife Center education staff this spring. The visitors who have seen her really enjoy her. She offers the public a rare encounter with a wood duck, a very shy species in the wild.
Sylvia
Lake Metroparks Animal Ambassadors represent a variety of native Ohio wildlife species. These residents are under the permanent care of the Kevin P. Clinton Wildlife Center staff because their injuries prohibit independent survival. Animal Ambassadors allow us to educate the public about conservation.
We invite you to support our mission of nature education, conservation and stewardship through "adopting" one of our Animal Ambassadors. Click here for more information.