wood duck

Competition for nesting cavities

At Fair Meadows Sanctuary, one fact has been made abundantly clear: there is keen competition for nesting sites, both in artificial structures and in tree cavities.

Photo by Gary Shackelford

Wood Duck

Wood Duck

The Wood Duck marks the arrival of early spring with the male’s vibrant plumage, displaying iridescent purple-green hues. This welcome sight stands out against the otherwise drab landscape, making it a favorite among birdwatchers.

Photo by Jeff Steele

Wood Duck

Wood Duck

The Wood Duck is one of the great conservation success stories in the United States. By the turn of the 20th century, market hunting and habitat destruction saw the Wood Duck on the brink of extinction. The Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918 came just in the nick of time.

Photo by Jim Hudgins / USFWS

That's just ducky: Wood Duck Research

That's just ducky: Wood Duck Research

Art Hawkins, after studying wildlife under Aldo Leopold at Faville Grove, worked with Frank Belrose and erected Wood Duck boxes made of cypress to try and bring back the birds. Their basic research resulted in people erecting thousands of “Wood Duck boxes” to help increase numbers.

Photo by Arlene Koziol