#aix

Mandarin Duck (Aix galericulata), male, family Anatidae, order Anseriformes, The Netherlands

This species is native to East Asia, but has been introduced into the Netherlands, as well as other parts of Europe.

A male wood duck (Aix sponsa) stretches in New England, USA

Common Name: Wood Duck Scientific Name: Aix sponsa

Description: A very colorful duck found in trees and near rivers Motto: Joseph's Technicolor Dreamduck

Conservation: Least Concern, increasing Range: Across the USA year-round, migrating to southern Canada in the breeding season, and down to central Mexico in the nonbreeding season Habitat: Riparian habitats, wetlands, marshes, and beaver ponds; forested wetlands with high amounts of vegetative cover and trees for nesting are priorities during the breeding season

Diet: Acorns and tree seeds, aquatic plants and grasses, berries, nuts, beetles, flies, caterpillars, bugs, isopods, and other aquatic and terrestrial insects Breeding: Annually monogamous double-brood cavity-nesters with strictly maternal care of 10-13 eggs per brood Sound (F): oo-EEP oo-EEP oo-EEP Sound (M): zeeeeEEEEET zeeeeEEEEEET

Ornithologist's Notes: What exactly is up with that iconic whistle? Wood Ducks, already iconic in their appearance, have an equally iconic call, divided by gender into those recognizable whoops and whistles. In the '70s, the female's whooping call was well-studied for its recognizability not to us, but to wood duck ducklings, which have a lot more diversity in their vocalizations than the adults, and seem to easily be able to recognize individuals. Not an unusual thing in birds by any means, but still a manner of focus in early study. One 1972 study suggests that this discrimination begins with the embryo in the egg, although that seems somewhat uncertain, if interesting. Also, both species have a unique nonvocal sound feature: their wings whistle when they fly! Allegedly; they aren't the only duck with this trait, though.

Oh, also, closest relative is the Asian (and introduced European) Aix galericulata, AKA the Mandarin Duck! But, if you've seen the Mandarin Duck, that shouldn't come at a surprise. Lastly, they're the only North American duck that regularly double-broods, meaning they have two clutches per year, every year! Those broods are in high trees, and if you know these guys, you've probably seen videos of duckling raining from the sky as they leave the nest. They bounce!

Life-Life Notes: Man, if there's a North American duck more handsome than the Wood Duck, I don't know what it is. These were my most anticipated duck as a kid moving to the mainland States, and for good reason! Beautiful males and females (note the iridescent blue speculum on the wing there), and still one of my favorites to see and hear. To be honest, I don't think I did this duck much justice with the drawing style, especially in terms of the iridescence. And obviously, I only have the male posted here. I'm considering doing something with these drawings, as I've hinted in my tags up to now, so I may also be adding making alternate designs for those I've already posted, including the females where sexual dimorphism is apparent, like here and in the rest of the ducks. We'll see...and lemme know if that's something people would be interested in. Again, only considering it for now. On to the next duck!

Previous: MUDU

Final day of Migratory May: Wood Duck! It's been really fun drawing birds that I'm unfamiliar with, as well as doing many that I would have found too artistically intimidating.

Reference photo by Tara Tanaka

Ecstatic to have seen this male mandarin duck today