Wood duck is a colorful water bird that lives in forests of southern Canada and throughout wooded areas of the United States. Most wood ducks are found in the eastern half of North America, but some live along the Pacific Coast. The lowland forests along the Mississippi River provide excellent habitats for wood ducks.
Male wood ducks are the most colorful North American ducks. Their upper feathers glitter with green, blue, and purple. Underneath, the feathers are red, yellow, and white. Females are brown above and yellowish-brown and whitish below. Each wing has a patch of shiny blue feathers. Both males and females have crests extending back from the top of their heads. Wood ducks are about 20 inches (51 centimeters) long.
Wood ducks frequent ponds, swamps, and other wetlands near woods. They feed in shallow water on acorns, seeds, and insects. Wood ducks nest in tree cavities formed by woodpeckers and natural decay. Each female lays 10 to 15 eggs. 
Wood ducks nearly became extinct in the early 1900’s because of overhunting and the clearing of their forest habitats by people. Since then, conservation efforts have helped to increase the number of these birds.
