A.  Hen wood ducks will begin their nesting period towards the beginning of spring and continue until as late as October, depending on the weather, drought conditions, etc. While the majority of wood ducks will nest from March until August, it is important to have the new nesting units installed as early as possible, from September through February. This ensures that when the hen begins to search for a suitable nesting site, your nesting unit is already installed in the suitable habitat.

Q. What factors should I look for in determining if I have suitable wood duck nesting habitat?

A.  It is important to remember that just like any other wild animal, wood ducks are extremely vulnerable to human disturbance. Selected areas should have minimal human disturbance. Another characteristic to look for is water availability. While some sites may seem ideal during the winter, they won’t seem that way to the hen if the water dries up during the spring nesting season. Nesting units should be installed in or near areas that hold water year round. Other important characteristics to keep in mind are food availability, such as acorns and small invertebrates, as well as existing natural cavities in the area. It is imperative that the sight offer good brood habitat for the ducklings to hide from predators, such as emergent vegetation or good overhead canopy.

Q.  I have decided to install the nesting units myself, what guidelines should I follow?

A.  Many people tend to adopt the “more is better” approach here. Too many boxes in a given area may result in dump nesting (more than one hen laying eggs in a single box), causing the nest to be abandoned. While conditions vary, a good rule of thumb is to space the boxes out a minimum of 200 yards apart, and try to keep them from facing directly at one another. Make sure the predator guard is secured under the box, free from any overhanging limbs or tall grass. Boxes and guards should be mounted above the highest water line in the event that flooding occurs. Boxes should be filled with approximately 2 inches of fresh wood shavings after each hatch.

Q.  When should my nesting units be checked?

A.  Nesting units may begin to be checked and monitored as early as March up until as late as October. Avoid checking the nests too frequently to minimize disturbance. If a hen is successful in her nesting, it is not uncommon for her to lay 2 or 3 different clutches of eggs.

Q. I’ve had nesting units up for a couple of years with no success, what should I do?

A.  Call NCWA and ask to speak to a biologist. He can help determine what needs to be done to increase the chances of a successful hatch. Such solutions may be to relocate the nesting unit, removal of nesting units, or choosing a new site to install nesting units.

Q.  What types of animals will utilize these nesting structures?

A.  While the boxes are intended for wood ducks, all sorts of species can call them home. Any type of cavity nesting species that can fit in the box may utilize these boxes, including hooded mergansers, Carolina wrens, great crested flycatchers, European starlings, eastern bluebirds, screech owls, gray/fox squirrels and wasps. Common predators may include woodpeckers, raccoons, and snakes.

For more information contact a NCWA biologist at:

North Carolina Waterfowl Association
4401 Barclay Downs Drive Suite 105
Charlotte, NC 28209
704 552 0906
ncwa_001@bellsouth.net