I was lucky enough to add yet another bird to my Life List this week. A fellow birder told me on Sunday that she had seen a Wood Duck at a local preserve, so I rushed over that evening, hoping to get a glimpse of this remarkably colorful bird. I couldn’t believe my luck when someone said she had just spotted the male Wood Duck, and pointed him out to me.
The father Wood Duck certainly stood out in his brilliant plumage. He was accompanied by his lovely ‘wife’ and their brood. I was disappointed not to get sharper photos, but they were rather far away. What a delight it was to see this regal pair glide past with their large family!
Last evening I went searching for them again at the same spot, but with no success. I later realized that the photo above, which I’d snapped when I first arrived at the preserve (well before I’d gotten to the ‘right spot’), was actually the Wood Duck family! They had been swimming off in the distance in the shadows, on a completely different pond, and I hadn’t even realized it was them when I took the photo!
Sometimes you don’t know what you have till you get home 😉
Great birds. Have never seen a male, female and chicks. Female and chicks, but never both adults. Great series.
Thanks Victor! I am looking forward to watching them many more times. Hope to get some sharper shots in the coming days.
You Wood Duck is far more beautiful than our Australian Wood Duck, and likewise the male and female plumage is different. It is a beautiful example of God’s artistry and His flair for colour. Yes, wood duck does not do justice to the splendor of the birds appearance!
I’ve heard the male
variously referred to as captivating, distinctive, and flamboyant. I like your description, AB~!
Tremendous shots and lucky you to have seen the colorful Mr. and his family!
Thanks, Phil. I do feel very fortunate – am heading out soon to look for him again this evening.
You know, I have had that same thought. I never understood how a bird with that much pizazz could be called Wood Duck.
I really ought to look it up… Wonder what the origin of the name actually is. 🙂
FYI, Donna – The Word Duck is so named because it nests in tree cavities. But I just discovered this very cool info, too:
“The wood duck’s beauty is reflected in its scientific name, Aix sponsa. From the greek word “aiks” for water bird and latin word “sponsa” for betrothed, the name refers to plumage so striking that the wood duck looks like it is dressed for a wedding.” (U.S.Fish & Wildlife Service)
Very interesting. I knew they nested in the tree boxes, but still the common name is very plain. Good they have a descriptive Latin name.