Wood Duck
Scientific name
Aix sponsa
about the species
Wood ducks are year-round residents of Missouri, making their homes in natural wood cavities near rivers, marshes, and swamps. This species primarily forages in shallow water, often eating seeds, nuts, and fruits. They may also eat small aquatic invertebrates as a supplementary source of protein, especially breeding females. Primary predators of young wood ducks are raccoons and squirrels, while adults are known to be preyed upon by hawks. Wood ducks are a popular choice for duck hunters due to their bright plumage, which has caused severe population declines in the past. The population has since rebounded due to legal protections and can be commonly seen around Forest Park’s ponds and creeks.
conservation status
Least Concern
How we’re studying this species
We are conducting bird surveys in Forest Park to understand the impacts of restoration on avian biodiversity. We are also working to put GPS tags on Wood Ducks in Forest Parks.
