Wood Ducks lead solitary lives during the summer. Except for the mother caring for her ducklings, they are seldom seen in flocks. However, in the fall, they congregate together in waterways here and there until they have a flock of a dozen or so. Then the flock departs as a unit, heading south for the winter.
This male may be the first to appear at the gathering place in Killbuck Creek, or he may be a bit confused, as he mingles with a flock of Mallards in early October.
We found this flock near the end of October, not far from where the lone male first appeared. Wood Ducks are the most reticent of ducks. They know when they are being observed and will quickly move out of sight, even when several hundred yards distant.
The males are on the left and the female is on the right in these pictures. These birds were part of a flock of about 8 - 10.
