Tortuga Tex: Wood Ducks - Text VersionHowdy! Did you know that one of the most beautiful birds in the world, the wood duck (Aix sponsa), is a local Texan? Wood duck feathers were once used for hats, fishing flies and other things. By teh early 1900s, only a few wood ducks remained. Since then, laws protecting them have made a big difference! Wood ducks live in bottomland hardwood forests along rivers and wetlands. They eat seeds, nuts, berries and grains. Wood ducks liket ot perch in trees. They have webbed feet wtih sharp claws that they use to hang on branches. They build nests, made of wood chips and feathers, in holes in trees sometimes 50 feet up in the air! They lay 8 to 10 eggs. Many wood duck nesting boxes have been introduced to replace trees cut down long ago. This is another reason tehy are doing better. 'Til next time, take care of Texas! More Tortuga, Please![top] |