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Horizons quarterly // spring 2025

Page 9

Home’s Where the Hen Is Adult wood ducks search for mates

within waterfront trees. The hen

in fall and pair up by midwinter for

pads the nest with down she plucks

a one-year partnership.

from her breast, laying one egg a

In spring, they fly north together to

day and 6–16 eggs total.

breeding grounds in the northern

But the nest may contain up to

U.S. and southern Canada.

40 eggs “due to a unique behavior

Hens tend to return to where they hatched or nested the previous

called compound nesting,” or eggdumping, said Berlinghof.

year. Drakes follow their chosen

“Female wood ducks will lay eggs

mate. So, a drake may migrate to

in multiple nests nearby. The nest

Michigan one year, a Lake County

owner will incubate them with her

forest preserve the next.

The Hen

brood and raise them as if they

“The mated couples inspect old woodpecker holes, tree cavities

were her own.” After about a month of incubation,

and wood duck boxes for a nesting

the chicks hatch out of glossy, tan

spot,” Berlinghof said.

eggs within a few hours of each other if from the same mother.

“Typically, the male will perch nearby while the female tips her

The next morning, the ducklings

head into each potential home

will take the same leap from the

before selecting the best nest.”

trees their parents once did.

The parents-to-be often choose

Upon reaching ground level,

openings 2–60 feet off the ground

they don’t look back. This illustration depicts a mated pair swimming, their reflections rippling beneath them.

The Drake

The Ducklings Photos: (Top to bottom) Using sharp claws on her feet, a hen stands outside the entrance to her nest. • A drake shows off his vivid feathers, meant to impress females. • Fluffy siblings peek out of their home.

Wood Duck Whereabouts In addition to tree cavities, human-made nest boxes are popular with this species. Wood ducks begin arriving in Lake County each February, then nest from March–July. Look for them in preserves with trees and nesting boxes near waterbodies. Visit LCFPD.org/birdwatching for more tips. LAK E COUNTY FOR E ST PRE S E RVES

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Horizons quarterly // spring 2025 by Lake County Forest Preserve District - Issuu