Wetland Management: Wood Duck Nesting Program

In the early 19OOs, habitat destruction and overharvesting pushed the wood duck to the brink of extinction. Today, thanks to hunting restrictions and concern for improved nesting and brood areas, the wood duck is once again a common Missouri resident. Nevertheless, it is still important to continue to help increase the population of this beautiful bird by providing artificial nest structures in wetland areas.

Traditionally, wood ducks nested in hollow trees along streams, rivers and natural wetlands throughout Missouri. Artificial nest boxes can be placed in areas wood ducks frequent but where natural nest sites no longer exist or are limited. Lakes and ponds containing or surrounded by standing timber are ideal for nest boxes. Woodies will use boxes placed over or near water, and duckling survival is greater when the boxes are within one-half mile of water. That is because the ducklings leave the nest and walk to the nearest body of water shortly after hatching. Besides being close to a wetland, the nest box should face water.

Image Right: Nesting boxes attract ducks to wetland areas where natural nesting sites are limited.

Nest Sites

A good wetland site for woodies should have three characteristics:

• Approximately half of the wetland should be open water, with the remainder in green plant cover.
• A supply of animal foods, such as insects and other invertebrates. These are critical, especially for ducklings less than 4 weeks old.
• Water that will remain until the ducklings are able to fly - 8 to 10 weeks.

Installation

To install a nest box, place it above the spring high-water mark. Wood ducks will use boxes regardless of height, so attach boxes to trees no higher than is convenient for maintenance. Only a few boxes - from one to five - are necessary the first year. Add more boxes later, if the first ones are used. When making a wood duck box remember:

• Make the entrance hole 4 inches wide, whether the hole is circular or oval.
• Put hardware cloth beneath the entrance on the inside of the box so the ducklings can climb out.
• Put drain holes in the bottom of the box to prevent rain from flooding the eggs.

Maintenance

A successful wood duck nest-box program requires annual inspection in January or February. At this time, repair all boxes, remove old nests and add fresh material - wood ducks do not carry nesting materials to build their own nest. Put wood shavings, a mixture of sawdust and shavings, ground corn cobs or similar materials in the boxes at a 3-to 5- inch depth. Also check predator guards annually. The best way to keep predators from boxes on trees is to install metal bands at least 50 inches wide flush around the trunk; for boxes on posts, use an inverted metal cone below the box. Make sure you remove overhanging limbs that are close to the box. Black snakes and raccoons can use these overhanging limbs to approach nest boxes, making predator guards worthless.

A design for a wood duck box is available from the Conservation Department. Follow the instructions closely because the specifications provide guidelines to ensure that wood ducks using the structures will have the best opportunity for nesting success.

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