Shy show-offs

Wood ducks are cavity nesters. They're cautious birds; they choose well-hidden holes, high in old-growth trees, where they can incubate their eggs out of the reach and sight (mostly) of predators. Since we've cut down the old forests, it's a good thing that they easily accept our substitutes. In the central aisles of Reifel Island Bird Sanctuary, where the trees provide good cover, the staff has put up nest boxes for them. These are easily identified; they're big boxes, at least 2 feet tall, surrounded by foliage, high in the trees beside the water.

This weekend we saw several pairs hanging out near their selected boxes.

The male has dramatic red eyes.

And the female wears white eye liner.

"Hurry, hurry!"

Against the light, they make a striking silhouette.

Couples pair up in January, begin nesting from February to March, and the chicks hatch after about 30 days. Then they jump from these high nests to the ground, and head for the water on foot. A freshly-hatched wood duck ducking can jump almost 90 metres without injury!

We should be seeing families in a few weeks.