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Good Luck, Wood Duck


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Wood Duck

Lesson Plans

The wood duck has bounced back from near extinction since the early days of this century. Overhunting and a shortage of nesting cavities once caused its population to plunge, but hunting regulations, together with the building of artificial nesting structures, have helped make this waterfowl one of our most abundant ducks.

Like goldeneyes and hooded mergansers, wood ducks usually nest in hollow trees around swamps, ponds, lakes, and creeks across Canada. Unable to make their own cavities, they depend on woodpeckers to excavate hollows — or on people like you to build and install nesting boxes. Here’s how to accommodate these unique waterfowl: