OBSERVED WOOD DUCK BREEDING BEHAVIOR

MARCH 26, APRIL 2 & 9:  MINNESOTA ZOO, APPLE VALLEY, MINNESOTA

The female stretched her neck out horizontally and placed her bill under the water.   She would remain in this position for two or three minutes while the male, quacking, chased all other waterfowl away from the female and swam around her.   He would continue swimming for about two minutes, swimming tighter and smaller circles around her.  He hopped on her back and gripped her crown feathers with his beak; before dismounting, he attempted to push her head under the water.  When he dismounted, the female would rear out of the water and flap her wings.  Both would then take a bath and preen feathers together.