Wood Duck (Aix sponsa)

Range

The wood ducks' range extends on the east coast from Nova Scotia west to the north central U.S. and south to Florida and the Gulf of Mexico. Birds nesting in New England winter in the Atlantic states from the Carolinas southward. Midwestern wood ducks winter in the area extending from Georgia west to Texas. On the west coast, the wood ducks' range extends from British Columbia south to the Mexican border. Upper west coast wood ducks will winter in southern California and the Mexican Pacific coast. Southern breeding wood ducks are year-round residents. Fall migration generally begins in October and extends into November. Spring migration occurs during March and April. Wood ducks migrate either in pairs or in small flocks. Wood ducks respond well to habitat protection and restoration activities, and breeding pairs are increasing use of suitable habitat outside traditional breeding areas.

Return to Contents
Next Section -- Habitat Requirements