The Wood Duck is one of the most strikingly handsome of all waterfowl. Though the females are very pretty, with elegant coloring and a white circle around the eye,  the males are simply stunning, with iridescent plumage showcasing chestnut, purple, and bright green colors. They also have red eyes and red on the bill.

Wood Ducks have a unique shape among ducks—a boxy, crested head, a thin neck, and a long, broad tail. In flight, they hold their head up high, sometimes bobbing it.

You often see Wood Ducks in small groups (fewer than 20), keeping apart from other waterfowl. The scientific name for the wood duck, Aix sponsa, roughly translates to “water bird in a bridal gown,” which refers to the male's beautiful, colorful feathers.

The wood duck is South Carolina's official state duck, designated by Act Number 58 of 2009. Also known as the Carolina duck or summer duck, it is a common and permanent resident of the state.

Look for Wood Ducks in wooded swamps, marshes, streams, beaver ponds, and small lakes. They stick to wet areas with trees or extensive cattails. As a cavity nester, Wood Ducks take readily to nest boxes.

The morning after hatching, ducklings take their first big plunge in life—through the air. Responding to calls from the mother duck, the chicks hop from nests as high as 50 feet above the ground or water!  Downy feathers, pliable bones, and leaf litter provide the necessary cushion when not landing in water.

Wood ducks are one of the few waterfowl species that can perch in trees, thanks to their strong feet that help them grip bark. Sharp nails on those webbed feet allow them to balance on the branches and maneuver into tree cavities that they use for nesting.