February 11 – My Nature Journal

Wood Duck

Aix sponsa

This male Wood Duck was paddling around close to the shore at the lake this afternoon.

Several male and female Mallards were also in the vicinity. I searched the bank and trees for other Wood Ducks but didn’t spot any.

And given how this male behaved, I hope no females of his own species were lurking around watching or he’d have some explaining to do.

This male Wood Duck clearly guarded a female Mallard the entire time I watched him. The female Mallard dabbled and head-dipped for food close to shore. The Wood Duck positioned himself on her far side, so that he floated between her and the four or five male Mallards that were also feeding in this little inlet.

Occasionally, one of the male Mallards approached and the male Wood Duck immediately pivoted and paddled straight at it. Although Mallards—even females—are much larger than Wood Ducks, the male Mallards ceded the field to this love-lorn Wood Duck and swam away every time.

The Wood Duck followed the encroachers for several yards, then reversed course and swam swiftly back to his Mallard lady friend.

The Wood Duck never let a male Mallard get closer than a few yards to the female Mallard, and he never swam more than about eight yards away before returning to her.

Both species of male ducks put a lot of energy into this approach/retreat pattern; I watched them repeat this behavior seven times before I moved on.

And the whole time, the female Mallard appeared completely unconcerned by the doings of the males around her. She continued foraging for food without pause the entire time.

I don’t think she even looked up.