Meet the Wood Duck

This month, let’s learn about the magnificent Wood Duck. Wood Ducks are medium-sized ducks and are a North American species. They are found in many states in the U.S., as well as in southern Canada and western Mexico. The Wood Duck is one of the few duck species that remain in the Sacramento Valley year-round. They are listed in a category or group called perching ducks because they perch in trees to preen or rest.

Some sources also include Wood Ducks in a group called dabbling ducks. Dabblers are ducks that feed close to the surface of the water and will either swim and skim the water’s surface or tilt their bodies head first into the water with their tails pointing upwards to grab food which is slightly underwater.