Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)

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Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
Georgia Department of Natural Resources Wildlife
Resources Division
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The Wood Duck

• The duck in a wedding suit
• 17 to 20 inches long, about half the size of a
  mallard.
• A dabbling duck
• The only duck that breeds in significant numbers
  in Georgia

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Color and Identification

• Crested head, white belly, and white line on the
  wing
• Striking color of the male
• Female color is gray-brown

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Wood Duck Breeding Range
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Wood Duck Wintering Range
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Historical Background

• Abundant in Pre-colonial North America
• Nearly extirpated at the turn of the century
• Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918
• The Duck Stamp Act

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The Wood Duck Today

• The most common duck in Georgia
• Important Game Species
• Wood Duck Nest Boxes

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Wood Duck Life History

• Nest from February through June
• Cavity Nester
• Hen lays 10-15 eggs
• Hatch after 30 days
• 24 hours after hatching, hen calls young out of
  nest
• Breed at one year old

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Habitat for Woodies
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Wood Duck Food Habits

• Acorns important in Fall/Winter
• Smartweed, wild millet, duckweed, panic grass
• Insects in Spring

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Wood Duck Population Monitoring

• Data Collection
• Aerial Surveys
• Banding Data
• Hunter Harvest Data
• Wing collections
• Data are used to
• Make predictions
• Help set regulations

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Banding

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Harvest Information Program
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Wing Collections
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Setting Regulations for Waterfowl

• Flyway Councils Provide Input
• USFWS Sets Framework
• States Choose Within Framework
• Process repeated each year

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US Fish and Wildlife Service Framework for Duck
Seasons

• Season Length
• 0, 30, 45, or 60 days
• Bag Limits
• Total and Species-specific (2 for Wood
  Ducks)
• Opening and Closing Dates
• Last Sunday in January (formerly Jan 20)

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Habitat Management

• Partnerships
• Federal/State Agencies
• Conservation Organizations
• Private Companies
• North American Waterfowl Management Plan

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Why Manage Habitat?

• Good Winter Condition

Better Breeding Condition
Produce more young
More Ducks Return!
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M.A.R.S.H. Projects

• Matching Aid to Restore States Habitat
• Create, Restore, or Enhance wetland habitats
• 3 million, 33 projects, 15,478 acres
• Benefits other wildlife species as well

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Wood Duck Nest Boxes

• Additional Nest Cavities
• Safer Nest Cavities
• Must Be Maintained Annually
• Enhance Local Populations

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Nest Box Predators
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Funding for Waterfowl Projects

• NAWCA Grants
• Conservation Groups
• Corporations
• Private Sources
• Hunters

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What can you do?

• Buy Federal Duck Stamps and the Georgia Waterfowl
  Conservation License
• Support organizations that conserve wetlands
• Put up wood duck boxes in suitable areas

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Want to Know More About Wildlife in Georgia?
For more information, visit the Wildlife
Resources Division Web Site at
www.georgiawildlife.com