Bird Calls Radio's New England Bird of the Day (July 14, 2011)

I’ve been writing about duck a lot in The Hour and talking about ducks a lot on Bird Calls. What can I say? I’m a duck guy. The positive news from the U.S. F&W Service got me started.

So with that in mind, let’s take a quick look at the wood duck, today’s Bird of the Day. Without a doubt, the male wood duck in breeding plumage is one of the most colorful ducks in New England. Just about every color in the rainbow (and many that aren’t in the rainbow) is represented. Females, and males after their molt, are more dull, but still an attractive bird.

Wood ducks were nearly wiped out throughout much of its range due to habitat loss and over hunting, but with the help of man-made nesting boxes, they have thankfully made a strong comeback.

Wood ducks are a freshwater species. Female utter a “ooweak” call when alarmed.

Be sure to check out Bird Calls every Saturday from 3 to 4 p.m. on WSTC/WNLK AM1400/1350 (in S. CT and nearby NY) or www.wstcwnlk.com from anywhere in the world (where there’s Internet access, that is.) Thanks for checking in.