Wood Duck

Aix sponsa

 

Appearance:

Medium-sized duck

Crested head

 

Male:

• Green and purple head
• White lines from bill to back of the crest
• Red eyes
• Red bill, with yellow base and dark tip
• White line on face and neck
• White throat 
• White belly
• Reddish chest with white flecks
• White and black stripe up side of chest
• Yellowish-gold sides
• Black back and tail
• Reddish-violet undertail  

Female:

• Gray upperparts
• White eye-ring, tapered at rear
• Gray-brown breast with tan streaks
• Whitish throat, belly and undertail
• Brown sides and tail
• Blue-gray bill with white line at base

Listen to its call.

 

I remember my son doing a project on these birds many years ago. So, I had no difficulty identifying them when I spied them in a nearby pond. However, I did have some difficulty taking the photos since the pond was actually in someone else's yard. Thankfully, when the homeowner opened the door to find a complete stranger standing there with a large camera, she didn't immediately phone the police. In fact, she was very friendly and accommodating. I guess birdwatching is so mainstream these days she didn't find my behaviour odd at all.  Thank goodness. I'd hate to be known as the crazy bird lady around our neighbourhood.

Learn more about the Wood Duck.