Wood Duck - Aix sponsa
Mid-sized migratory duck able to perch on trees. Males have colorful feathers and the species used to be hunted for its feathers leading almost to extinction in early 20th Century.
Photography Tips
Parc Bernard-Landry is the best place to photograph this species. Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) can be spotted here during most seasons and in particular during spring. The small pond in the middle of the park allows close up of males and females. There are nesting places in this park but lately, we haven't seen ducklings.
To see, photograph and record ducklings, we suggest visiting Jardin Botanique de Montréal. The ponds are larger than in Parc Bernard-Landry but the chance to see Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) ducklings is higher.
Observations by Season
Number of times the species has been spotted, identified and logged while visiting nature parks nearby.
| Spring | Summer | Fall | Winter |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 | 4 | 6 | 0 |
A species is registered only once / park visit. Consult the page animal tracking to learn more about how we determine identifications and log observations in the field.
Videos Behavioral Traits
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Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) Female with Ducklings in Botanical Garden Montreal
Recorded: 2022-06-04 - Duration: [03:43]
Videos are hosted on Muuuh's YouTube Channel.
Photos of Wood Duck
Male juvenile Wood Duck (Aix sponsa). Notice the red eye and lack of white patch around the eye.
Parc Bernard-Landry - 2022-09-22
NIKON Z6; NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Z TC-2.0x; Focal Length 400mm; Exposure 1/1250; Aperture f/5.6; Iso 1800;
Female Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) standing on trunk floating in the water.
Parc Bernard-Landry - 2022-09-22
NIKON Z6; NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Z TC-2.0x; Focal Length 400mm; Exposure 1/1250; Aperture f/5.6; Iso 1600;
Female Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) with 3 ducklings resting on a rock
Jardin Botanique de Montréal - 2022-06-11
NIKON Z6; NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 VR S Z TC-2.0x; Focal Length 260mm; Exposure 1/1250; Aperture f/5.6; Iso 1250;
A wood duck among wood. I had to take this shot as it the duck settings so beautiful matches its name.
Parc Bernard-Landry - 2021-04-10
NIKON Z 6; 70-200mm f/2.8; Focal Length 200mm; Exposure 1/1600; Aperture f2.8; Iso 180;
Male Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) close up
Parc Bernard-Landry - 2020-05-25
NIKON Z 6; 300mm f/4.0; Focal Length 420mm; Exposure 1/100; Aperture f/14; Iso 900;
Female on its own floating quietly on Mont-Royal's lake.
Parc Mont-Royal - 2015-10-03
NIKON D7100; 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6; Focal Length 300mm; Exposure 1/250; Aperture f5.6; Iso 800;
Male taking care of female as it is spring it may be part of the courtship behavior
Parc Mont-Royal - 2015-05-03
NIKON D7100; 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6; Focal Length 180mm; Exposure 1/1600; Aperture f6.3; Iso 400;
Parc des Rapides - 2013-11-16
Canon PowerShot SX50 HS; 4.3-215mm; Focal Length 84mm; Exposure 1/125; Aperture f5.6; Iso 320;
For high quality, free available photos visit our profile on Unsplash.