Wood ducks are a beautiful species of waterfowl found throughout North America. Known for their colorful plumage and perching abilities, wood ducks have some unique mating behaviors. In this article, we’ll explore how, when, and where wood ducks find their mates each breeding season.
When is wood duck breeding season?
Wood ducks breed early in the spring, usually beginning in February or March. The exact timing depends on location – wood ducks that winter farther south start breeding sooner than those that winter farther north. Most wood duck pairs have formed by April. The breeding season lasts into June or early July.
There are a few reasons wood ducks breed so early:
- They nest in tree cavities, which are limited. By breeding early, hens can claim the best nest sites.
- Early breeding maximizes the time young ducklings have to grow before migrating in the fall.
- Insects and vegetation that ducklings eat peak in availability in early summer.
How do wood ducks find and court mates?
Starting in early spring, male wood ducks perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females. These displays take place at communal courtship sites called leks. A lek typically forms on a secluded pond or slough and may contain several dozen males who gather there each morning.
The males posture and call, puff out their colorful crests, and perform a ritualized raising of their wings. Throughout the displays, the males utter a distinctive squealing call. Females fly over the lek sites and observe the males before choosing a mate.
Pairs are formed through female choice. Because the males’ plumage is so brightly colored, females likely select mates based on the brightness of their plumage, which may indicate health and fitness.
Wood duck courtship displays
Male wood ducks perform a variety of elaborate displays to catch the females’ attention:
- Head throw: The male rears back his head until his crest nearly touches his back, then quickly thrusts his head forward.
- Head bob: While swimming in front of the female, the male rapidly bobs his head up and down.
- Grunt whistle: The male gives a soft grunting call and raises his crested head.
- Bill shake: The male quickly twists his head and neck back and forth while holding his bill against his breast.
- Salute: Standing erect, the male raises one wing straight up over his back.
When does mating occur?
Once a female wood duck chooses a mate, the pair leaves the lek site to search for a nest cavity. Mating occurs at this time, before the female begins laying eggs. The male follows behind the female during flight in what’s called a “mock chase.”
Copulation generally takes place on the water, sometimes on the nest itself once the female has chosen a cavity. The male mounts the female and grasps her nape feathers with his bill during mating. Copulation is typically brief, lasting only 5-10 seconds.
How often do wood ducks mate each season?
Wood ducks are seasonally monogamous, meaning a male and female pair bond lasts for one breeding season. However, wood ducks are not always genetically monogamous. Both males and females may mate with multiple partners over the course of a breeding season:
- Male wood ducks try to mate with as many females as possible. Dominant males at the lek site may mate with multiple females.
- Females often lay eggs fertilized by different males in a single clutch. DNA analysis has shown broods often contain offspring fathered by 2-3 males.
Even with multiple matings, most wood ducks reunite with their original mate to raise the young once the eggs have hatched.
How many eggs do female wood ducks lay?
Once she has chosen a nest and mated, the female wood duck will lay a clutch of 5-15 eggs. One egg is laid per day until the clutch is complete. Eggs are creamy white and elliptical in shape, measuring about 1.5 by 2 inches.
The female starts incubating the eggs once the last one is laid, keeping them warm under her body. The incubation period lasts for about 30 days before the ducklings begin hatching. Because incubation starts before the last egg is laid, the ducklings hatch over a span of several days.
Do wood duck pairs stay together?
Wood ducks form seasonally monogamous bonds, meaning a male and female only stay together for one breeding season. In the fall when the ducklings can fly and the breeding season ends, wood ducks become solitary once more.
Pair bonds dissolve at this time and adults and juveniles migrate separately to their wintering grounds. The winter flocks consist of either all males or all females and juveniles. Pairs do not reunite on the wintering grounds.
When spring returns, wood ducks must find new mates again each breeding season. However, some research shows that wood ducks may preferentially choose the same mate if they encounter each other in subsequent years.
How do male and female wood ducks care for ducklings?
Male and female wood ducks share parental care duties for their offspring. Each plays an important role in rearing ducklings:
- The female incubates the eggs and broods the ducklings for their first day after hatching.
- The male stands guard near the nest and will aggressively defend against predators.
- About a day after hatching, the female leaves the nest and flies down to the ground, calling for the ducklings to jump down and join her.
- The female leads the ducklings to water and shows them how to find food. The young stick close to their mother for protection.
- The male stays nearby and keeps watch for predators, though he leaves most of the direct care to the female.
The ducklings remain with their parents until they learn to fly, usually around 7-8 weeks after hatching. By this time, they are independent and disperse from their parents to migrate on their own in the fall.
Conclusion
Wood ducks have fascinating and elaborate mating behaviors. Each spring males congregate and perform ritualized displays to attract females. Once mated, the female lays a large clutch of eggs and incubates them while the male stands guard. Though seasonally monogamous, both sexes may mate with multiple partners.
After hatching, ducklings are led over land by their mother and closely guarded by their father. This biparental care helps ensure the survival of the young. Within a couple months, the offspring are ready to take flight and disperse on their own, and the breeding pair’s bond breaks until the next year’s mating season.