Adult male

Adult male: In eclipse plumage, similar to brown gray female, with a hint remaining of facial pattern so prominent in breeding plumage. There is also more white under the chin of the eclipse male. The adult female has a dark crown, however, and a prominent white eye ring, which comes to a point behind eye.

Breeding male has precisiely arranged green, white and purple face pattern. Green iridescent back and head, white throat, white-spotted dark red breast, light tan sides. Red eye. Bill has red base and dark tip. Wood Ducks have a piercing whistle; they are not "quackers". Nests in trees or next boxes as high as 50 feet above ground.

Habitat: Freshwater marshes, lakes, ponds, rivers and wooded swamps.

A Florida resident.

Text by Mary Jean Rogers, West Volusia Audubon.