Wood Duck, Male - Non-Breeding Plumage

Albuquerque, NM - Tingley Beach Area - North American naturalists have traditionally grouped the Wood Duck with the Mallard and other common pond ducks as "dabblers," or "dabbling ducks." They recognize these as distinct from "divers" or "diving ducks" such as the Canvasback, based on both physical and behavioral differences. More recently, ornithologists, or bird experts, have placed the Wood Duck among the perching ducks rather than among the typical dabbling ducks. Although the Wood Duck feeds on the surface, as is typical of dabbling ducks, it appears to differ in other important respects. Its young are white below and dark above, unlike the typical yellowish ducklings of the dabblers, and they appear to have long tails when compared with other young dabblers. The adults perch, as do the Muscovy Duck and its relatives. These and other considerations have led ornithologists, or bird experts, to place the Wood Duck among the perching ducks rather than among the typical dabbling ducks. - The male Wood Duck in its multi-colored breeding plumage, worn from October through June, is unexcelled among ducks. The female is less showy, although still beautiful and more colorful than other female ducks.

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