Wood Duck Care

Wood ducks (Aix sponsa) live throughout most of North America in ponds and streams where woodland occurs. Each winter the colorful, small male and the more subtly colored female ducks head south for the winter. Some ducks fly all the way to Cuba to spend the cold months. The wood duck survives and breeds well in captivity. Many people enjoy keeping the interesting ducks in their personal ponds for bird watching amusement.

  1. Environment

    • To provide a safe and happy home for the wood duck, the owner must recreate its natural environment in captivity. The wood duck requires water and trees to thrive. Adapted with long, sharp claws on their webbed feet, wood ducks enjoy climbing and roosting in trees for nighttime safety, and nesting within cavities, so ample trees must be provided to give the ducks a sense of home and security. Trees should be large enough to contain cavities or other hollowed out areas for the birds to use.

    Nest Boxes

    • Despite providing the wood duck with ample woodland growth, you will also need to place nest boxes around the area, since many trees do not offer enough cavities to suit the nesting behavior of the duck. A nest box should provide ample room by measuring 2 feet in depth with a bottom floor of 12 inches. The entrance hole will need to be 4 inches so the duck can safely squeeze in and out. Be sure to provide a ramp at a 45-degree angle for the bird to use when entering the box. Place wood shavings within the box for nest material.

    Pond

    • Wood ducks require a pond with plenty of room to keep the bird happy. A pond of at least 6 square feet is required, but a larger pond is even better, according to the Game Bird Conservation Gazette. The water depth should exceed 6 inches.

    Food Requirements

    • In the wild, the wood duck is a surface feeder on the pond. It consumes aquatic plants, plant seeds, and insects. In domestication, a well balanced waterfowl food needs to be provided. Most feed stores sell a wide variety of brands. Wood ducks also enjoy dried dog food as an occasional food source in captivity.

    Vitamin and Mineral Needs

    • When the wood duck is kept in captivity, its entire vitamin and mineral needs may not be met as they are in the wild, where the duck can enjoy a wide range of foods in numerous locations throughout its travels. Providing the wood duck with an all-purpose waterfowl mineral and vitamin supplement will help insure the overall long-term health of the bird.