Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)
The Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) is a strikingly colorful, medium-sized migratory bird known for its unique ability to perch on trees. Once on the brink of extinction due to overhunting for its vibrant feathers, conservation efforts have helped it thrive across North America today.
| 🇫🇷 | Canard branchu |
| 🇩🇪 | Brautente |
| 🇲🇽 | Pato joyuyo |
| Taxonomy | |
| Order | Anseriformes |
| Family | Anatidae |
How to Identify
The male Wood Duck is easily recognizable by its vibrant and distinctive plumage, particularly around the head. In contrast, females are characterized by a yellow ring around their eyes, encircled by a white ring of feathers. Both sexes possess a beak that is predominantly red with a subtle black tip.
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Characteristics
| Length | 47-54cm |
| Weight | 454-862g |
| Wingspan | 66-73cm |
| Clutch Size | 6-16 eggs |
| Incubation | 28-37 days |
| Fledging | 56-70 days |
| Sexual Maturity | 1 year |
| Source | Wikipedia |
Videos
Videos are hosted on YouTube. Click on a thumbnail to watch it.
Where and When to Spot
The Wood Duck is a migratory bird that winters in the southern regions of the United States. During its stay around Montreal, this species can be observed in forested areas with ponds. A favored location for observing these birds is Parc de Prairies, particularly in the spring.
Observation Records by Park and Season
| Location | Spring | Summer | Autumn | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jardin Botanique de Montréal | x | x | x | - |
| Parc Angrignon | x | x | - | - |
| Parc Bernard-Landry | x | x | x | - |
| Parc Mont Saint-Bruno | - | x | - | - |
| Parc Nature Pointe aux Prairies | x | - | - | - |
| Parc de la Frayère | - | x | - | - |
"x" indicates the species was observed, while "-" indicates no observation. Lack of observation doesn't necessarily imply that the species is absent. Data is derived from our park visit journals.