Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture references:
J23.13.w3
B7, B11.33.w1, B29, B31, B94, B96, B97, B108
D1, D8

Other References

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Perching Ducks

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Perching Ducks and "geese" are generally happier maintained fully-flighted if possible, for example in an aviary for the smaller species, or under flight netting.
• While the larger species in this group are hardy, the smaller species may be more delicate and require winter shelter. These species eat a high proportion of vegetable matter and appreciate a grazing area. Most of these species are hole-nesters.
• Many of these species are sociable outside the breeding season, although Cairina moschata - Muscovy duck, Cairina scutulata - White-winged duck, Pteronetta hartlaubii - Hartlaub's duck and Plectropterus gambensis - Spur-winged goose can all be aggressive and require separate enclosures.

(B7, B11.33.w1, B94, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Wood-ducks (commonly known as "Carolinas" in the UK) are winter-hardy, although access to shelter may be appreciated in snow and frost. These ducks are easy to manage, popular and widely kept. They are suitable for mixed-species collections, being generally unaggressive. Feeding with grain, pellets, duckweed or other greenfood and bread is suggested.
• Wood ducks are easy to breed . Raised nest boxes should be provided, although they may also lay in shelters, ground-level boxes and tunnels in banks. Nest boxes about 45-60cm high and 30cm diameter, with an entrance hole of 10cm diameter about 2/3 of the way up the box and with e.g. some wood shavings in the bottom are suggested. A ramp should be used to make the nest box accessible to flight-restricted birds. They may lay from March to June, in the UK; are reliable sitters and rearers, and may produce a second clutch if the first set of eggs is removed for artificial incubation, or even after rearing the first clutch.
• The ducklings may be parent reared in natural conditions, or broody reared with protection form rain and cold wind initially; they are also easily hand-reared. Hard-boiled egg and duckweed useful foods initially in addition to rearing crumbs. Pens for ducklings must be covered, as they are good climbers. They may be difficult to start feeding initially while trying to escape from the brooder by climbing out, particularly if there are only a few ducklings. Feeding with starter crumbs plus chopped hard-boiled egg and finely chopped lettuce is suggested, with some fine grit available.
• These ducks are promiscuous and hybridisation is common, particularly with Netta rufina - Red-crested pochard and Aythya ferina - Common pochard drakes.

(J23.13.w3, B29, B31, B94, B96, B97, B108).

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average ring size: J 9.0mm (D8).

Management Techniques

• Stimulating Feeding of Downies (Waterfowl)
• Flight Netting

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Wings iridescent green/blue with white on tips of secondaries and outer vanes of primaries.

Eclipse: Similar to female but still has more white on throat.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

May be abandoned by one month old.

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Western, south-eastern and central North America; Cuba.

Northern birds migrate south for winter, as far as central Mexico.

Introduced into Britain on several occasions from 1870 onwards, but never fully established.

Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Captive Populations

Trade