The Wood Duck |
Wood ducks are the most colorful water loving birds. They like to live in wet wooded places. Beaver ponds are a great place for these birds because there is plenty of water and trees nearby. These birds need plants around the water to provide protection for them as they eat. They will eat plants that grow in the water, seeds, berries, and acorns. The wood duck will nest in holes in trees made by woodpeckers or squirrels. Some people put special boxes high in trees for the wood duck. They will lay about 10 eggs. Most of the danger they face is from people. Hunters used to kill too many of these beautiful creatures. People took away their habitat by cutting down trees they need to nest. Finally laws were passed to protect the wood duck and it is now safe from extinction. Raccoons are one of the most dangerous predators of wood ducks.
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