It's raining wood ducks! 🦆 Wood ducks nest in hollow trees and when the eggs hatch, the ducklings must jump to join their mother on the journey to the pond. DNR wildlife biologists are researching what types of trees and cavities female wood ducks prefer, which wetlands they bring their broods to, and how successful hens are at nesting and rearing broods year-after-year. This information will be helpful for forest and wildlife management decision making across the forested region of Minnesota.

Wood Duck Jump day from a few years ago. Once all ducklings hatch, they all jump out of the nesting box and follow mom to water. | Kevin Thurk Photography

Wood ducks are in nesting mode right now. These wood duck boxes are part of many put up in our Duck River Bottoms area. Both wood ducks and hooded mergansers will use these artificial nesting structures. Our biologist reminds us that one of the most important parts of putting up a wood duck box is the predator guard that helps to protect eggs and ducklings. | Tennessee National Wildlife Refuge