IFAS Extension
Release Date: 10/6/2025
Agriculture
Abstract
The wood duck is one of the most colorful of all North American waterfowl, making it the most sought-after duck by hunters and birdwatchers. By the early 1900s, this highly desirable species was near extinction because of improper hunting regulations and habitat loss. With the Federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act in 1918, hunting of these birds was restricted. Also, wildlife officials developed a management program to increase wood duck numbers. Due to the success of this program, the wood duck is now one of the most abundant waterfowl species in North America.
About this Publication
This document is WEC 168, one of a series of the Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date April 2003. Revised August 2015 and February 2025. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.
How to Cite
Schaefer, J. M., Cohen, J., & Hostetler, M. E. (1969). The Wood Duck. EDIS, 2003(12). https://doi.org/10.32473/edis-uw180-2003
Authors
Joe Schaefer
former district Extension director, UF/IFAS Extension South Florida District, and former professor, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Jennifer Cohen
former undergraduate student, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation
Mark Hostetler
Specialist
University of Florida
professor and Extension specialist, Department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Gainesville, FL