Young Wood Ducks
August 13th, 2009
At Riverain Park a number of Wood Ducks, mostly young Wood Ducks, have joined the year-round Mallard flock. At places like that they follow the Mallards' lead and come close to humans looking for handouts (Wood Ducks are normally quite skittish). Thus, very photographable!
There were roughtly eight juveniles milling around, probably ones who grew up on the Rideau, as well as a couple of adult females. No adult males, which is typical for this time of year. They always seem to disappear in late summer, probably gone somewhere secluded to molt their flight feathers. They'll be back in force come September.
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The duck in the middle is a juvenile male, far enough along that his eyes have turned red. The white and grey patterning on his cheek is the placeholder for what will become, in maturity, an ornate facial pattern of black, red, white and iridescent green. The slight swelling at his nape is the beginning of the adult's swept-back green crest.
A young female:
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This last picture is of a mature female, likely the mother of some of these juveniles. The large, wedge-shaped eye patch gives her away.
1680x1050 wallpaper
August 13th, 2009
At Riverain Park a number of Wood Ducks, mostly young Wood Ducks, have joined the year-round Mallard flock. At places like that they follow the Mallards' lead and come close to humans looking for handouts (Wood Ducks are normally quite skittish). Thus, very photographable!
There were roughtly eight juveniles milling around, probably ones who grew up on the Rideau, as well as a couple of adult females. No adult males, which is typical for this time of year. They always seem to disappear in late summer, probably gone somewhere secluded to molt their flight feathers. They'll be back in force come September.
1680x1050 wallpaper
The duck in the middle is a juvenile male, far enough along that his eyes have turned red. The white and grey patterning on his cheek is the placeholder for what will become, in maturity, an ornate facial pattern of black, red, white and iridescent green. The slight swelling at his nape is the beginning of the adult's swept-back green crest.
A young female:
1680x1050 wallpaper
This last picture is of a mature female, likely the mother of some of these juveniles. The large, wedge-shaped eye patch gives her away.
1680x1050 wallpaper
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Holly
July 9th, 2015 at 12:42 am
Hello there! I've been sifting through all kinds of articles and books on wood ducks hoping to find out at what age/season the drake's eye will turn red, but no luck yet. Any chance you could help out?
Beautiful pictures, by the way!
Suzanne
July 9th, 2015 at 12:38 pm
Thanks for the compliment!
As for your question, I know their eyes turn red the same year they grow up--the young Wood Ducks pictured would all have grown up on Mud Lake in summer of 2009. The post is dated August 13, 2009 and the male is showing red eyes. Although he won't get really *bright* red eyes until later, in fall, when he'll also molt into adult plumage. I'm afraid I don't have more specifics than that.
Holly
July 9th, 2015 at 5:23 pm
That's actually quite helpful, thanks!