Aix sponsa
Wooded ponds and rivers across much of the continent. Small webbed track, about 2 inches, at a pond edge.
What does a wood duck look like?
Male has a green crest and a painted face. Female is gray with a white teardrop around the eye.
What do wood duck tracks look like?
A small duck print at the water. The bird, especially the male, is unmistakable. The female’s white eye patch is the mark.
- Small webbed track, about 2 inches, at a pond edge
- Male is brightly patterned if seen
- Female is gray-brown with a white eye ring
- Nests in a tree cavity or a box
- Whitewash on a box
What does wood duck poop look like?
Small dark droppings on a bank or a nest box. Do not handle droppings. Several species carry parasites that stay in the soil around a latrine.
Where you find it
Wooded ponds and rivers across much of the continent. Typical places: wetland, woods. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
What to do next
- Watch from a distance
- Do not approach a nest
- If a bird is injured, call a local wildlife rehabilitator
This page is a field guide, not a permit to approach wildlife. If an animal is injured, aggressive, or inside a house, call a local wildlife officer.
Animals it is confused with
- Mallard identification
- All animal identification pages
- Identify an animal from a photo, track, or description
What does a female wood duck look like?
Gray-brown with a white ring around the eye and a white throat.
How to tell a wood duck from similar animals
Use the track, the dropping, and the place together. One print is not enough.
- Mallard. A small webbed print. Male has a green head and chestnut chest.
Wood duck field marks
- Small webbed track, about 2 inches, at a pond edge
- Male is brightly patterned if seen
- Female is gray-brown with a white eye ring
- Nests in a tree cavity or a box
Where the sign shows up
Wooded ponds and rivers across much of the continent. Typical places: wetland, woods. Year-round in much of the range. Some move south for winter.
A small duck print at the water. The bird, especially the male, is unmistakable. The female’s white eye patch is the mark. Small dark droppings on a bank or a nest box.
Common questions
What does a female wood duck look like?
Gray-brown with a white ring around the eye and a white throat.