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.