HALF A MILLION AND GOING STRONG

California Waterfowl Wood Duck Program to Hatch it’s 500,000th Wood Duck Duckling

California Waterfowl’s Wood Duck Program is the most extensive volunteer nest box program in North America. Thanks to the efforts of over 400 active volunteers statewide and over 33,000 wood ducks hatched last year, over 474,000 ducklings have been hatched since the program’s inception in 1991. This year that number will top the half a million mark.  Volunteers have been trained and assisted by California Waterfowl’s biologists and other volunteers to install, monitor, and collect information from nest boxes.   

Wood duck drakes are showy and colorful and the hens, unlike most female ducks, also have an iridescent shine to the feathers of their head and body. It has been estimated that over 90% of wood duck nesting habitat has disappeared since the mid 1800’s. As a result, the wood duck population suffered a near collapse.  However, with the advent of man-made nest boxes, populations have rebounded from historic lows.

Equally important are the educational values of this program and interest generated for the restoration of the duck’s riparian habitats.  Youth and adults, hunter and non-hunters alike, thrill in this hands-on conservation activity, making a marked difference in their environment and having fun in the process. 

Learn more about the program and get involved today!