Nesting Wood Ducks

[Dinusaur]

I have never seen one before past Sunday. So when I saw a male sitting on a tree branch high above the ground and far away from water's edge I thought what the heck. I was even more surprised when he flew towards a hole on a nearby tree, rested himself against the trunk like a woodpecker and poked his head inside. Now that got me intrigued - I thought may be he has changed his diet and now looking for nuts. Then I looked up and saw the female sitting on another branch higher up. After the male left the hole, she came down and inspected the hole. Then it struck me - these guys must be cavity nesters- they are looking for a place to lay eggs. May be the name Wood Duck has got to do something with this. After a brief stand off with a resident squirrel the pair then moved on to the next tree. May be the cavity wasn't good for raising babies. I wondered all the way home how the young chicks will ever get down from a hole so high up. Given their "Least Concern' status, I am sure they all survive. That will be another reason to go back and see when they come down the tree cavity.

[thouc]

Here's how they get down!

[Dinusaur]

Here's how they get down!

Thanks for sharing the video. It is quite amazing to watch them jump and then line up behind their mother to go to a nearby pond. I wonder if the parents do any house keeping on the ground, under the cavity just to make the jump a bit safer.

[mr.sharp-photo]

great pictures.
if you go to the Bluffs, you'll see wood duck nesting boxes.

[CdnMaple]

Great photos!  I would have never thought to look up a tree for a duck.   Or to watch for falling little ones!  Thanks for sharing your photos and the video link.  

[Rotarran]

Wood Duck?  More like Woodpecker Duck haha...great shots