Wood Ducks

[markiver54]

I was sitting in my usual spot this morning having breakfast drinking my coffee and looking out the window. Something that caught me by surprise was a fairly large bird landing about 40 feet up in the pine tree across the street. Not uncommon to see hawks and crows out there, but this looked different. Looked like a duck?
I have never seen a duck in a tree, so this was very strange to me. I looked through my binoculars and sure enough, it was a duck. After some Google searching I learned about Wood Ducks.
Maybe some of you are very familiar with them...I dunno, but to me...seeing a duck land in a tree was a first.
Shortly after the first one, another arrived. They hung out for a few minutes, and then flew off together. Wish I had the photography expertise of Clovishound and some of the others here.

[fortyshooter]

I had a pair of them nest down at my creek and I think they were in the trees. Haven't seen any others down there lately and I think it is due to all the dogs running loose around the area.

[clovishound]

I love the wood ducks. And, yes, they will spend time in trees.

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They are also very shy, and getting close enough to them to photograph is tough.

[markiver54]

Interesting. I think the one that was most visible to me must have been a female, because it was not that colorful.

[Hatchdog]

One of the most beautiful birds in my opinion. Sadly I have never seen one in person but other than duck hunting (mallards) I’ve not put any effort into finding some to see. They are here and there around this part of the country but pretty scarce. It’s great that you had the experience of seeing them and being able to get the binoculars on them.

[BigAl52]

They are really cool and beautiful birds.

[brm4450]

Out here in game production area they will build elevated (on posts) nest platforms. I’ve seen them in those nests and in trees.

[clovishound]

Interesting. I think the one that was most visible to me must have been a female, because it was not that colorful.

Here are male and female next to each other.

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[markiver54]

Thanks for the pics. Yup, it was a female that I was able to see more clearly. They ARE beautiful birds.