WHY I LOVE ANIMALS

I am one that believes if we stop to really appreciate and enjoy wildlife, we will always find something fascinating. From survival behaviors and instinct to detailed markings and colors, there’s always beauty to see in the animal kingdom. The focus of my column this month is all of those things…intelligent, instinctual, and definitely beautifully marked! Say hello to Woody, a male wood duck who resides permanently at HHS TWRC Wildlife Center. Woody is actually no stranger to PetTalk, as he was featured with artist Mathieu JN Baptiste in our December Notable Houstonians issue. I found Woody to be so flawless and diminutive as well as mischievous… on both occasions that we photographed Woody, he went for my shiny bracelets with no questions asked. He definitely knows what he wants!

Since his arrival at the Wildlife Center in the Spring of 2022, he has met thousands of people and stolen the hearts of pretty much everyone he's met. He's happy to "chat" with every visitor, readily expelling his signature "meeps" and whistles. Woody became a resident because he was illegally rehabilitated by a member of the public and became imprinted on humans. Because Woody was improperly cared for as a duckling, he no longer recognizes his own species and did not develop the survival skills he would need to be released. Imprinting is one learning method developed by numerous species (especially birds) where the animal learns its sense of species identification. Birds do not automatically know what they are when they hatch – they must visually imprint on their parents extremely early on in their development. Most bird species are protected by the North American Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA), and keeping/raising them without the proper state and federal permits can result in hefty fines. The MBTA is credited with saving numerous species from extinction, including the Wood Duck and Sandhill Crane.

As for wood ducks specifically, they thrive in bottomland forests, marshes, and along slowmoving streams and rivers, preferring bodies of water with more coverage than other duck species. They are omnivores and eat everything from fruit and seeds to plant matter and various invertebrates. During nesting season, wood duck pairs choose cavities high off the ground to lay eggs. Once their young have hatched, they leave the nest right away to reach the water. This means that newly-hatched ducklings may jump from heights of 50 or more feet!

The wood duck's need for tree cavities for nest sites makes them vulnerable to habitat loss as humans often remove dead and dying trees from properties. To combat this, wood duck nest boxes are simple to construct and provide a lasting alternative for our feathered friends. Simple construction designs are readily available online.

If you have the opportunity, make sure you stop by and see Woody and I promise you will be awed by his detailed markings and his flamboyant personality. Visit him at the Wildlife Center, located at 10801 Hammerly Blvd, Ste. 200, Houston, TX 77043. You can also donate to the cause of wildlife at TWRCWildlifeCenter.org.