Wood Duck - Aix sponsa

Alternative names
Carolina Duck
Description

A brightly coloured and distinctively patterned bird, it is considered to be one of the most stunning of all waterfowl and the male has particularly colourful breeding plumage. It is one of just a few ducks with strong claws that allow it to perch in trees. A relatively small duck, the Wood Duck has a crested head, a thin neck, short, broad wings and a large, rectangular tail.

Identification difficulty
Habitat

Lakes and open water.

When to see it

Mainly recorded from late September to March.

Life History

Unlike most ducks, the wood duck nests in tree holes, and on leaving the nest the young may have to leap to the ground from great heights.

UK Status

This feral species is occasional but widespread in Britain.

VC55 Status

Status in Leicestershire and Rutland not known.

Leicestershire & Rutland Map

MAP KEY:

Yellow squares = NBN records (all known data)
Coloured circles = NatureSpot records: 2020+ | 2015-2019 | pre-2015

UK Map

Species profile

Common names
North American Wood Duck, Carolina Wood Duck, Wood Duck
Species group:
Birds
Kingdom:
Animalia
Order:
Anseriformes
Family:
Anatidae
Records on NatureSpot:
16
First record:
11/12/2015 (Devine, Ben)
Last record:
31/12/2022 (Kimpton, Lee)

Total records by month

% of records within its species group

10km squares with records

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