Wood duck west nest - May 21, 2018

When a family of seven wood duck and three merganser ducklings left their nest box the hen did something unusual: she returned to the nest for six minutes after half of her brood was out of the nest, leaving them on their own. Questions? See birdsgv.com and use the "Ducks Info" button (scroll down to find it). Also many have asked about the last duckling who didn't leave with the others and here's a direct link to information about that: birdsgv.com/lastduckling.html

[@cramerhaas6890]

Enjoyed your video immensely. I have been having wood duck nesting boxes out on my pond where I live plus at my camp. I have a total of 17 in all. Put my first wood duck nesting box out on my pond when I was 18 years old and I will be turning 69 in just a few months. Never lost interest. Been very satisfying. I can not tell you how many hundreds of ducklings have jumped from my boxes but it will never be enough. The joy of watching them is endless. N. Louisiana is where this is taking place. Thanks again for your video.

[@AmphibianBoss]

I was first supersized that she layed 26 eggs, but it makes sense if a merganser layed eggs first and the wood duck highjacked the box. Either way a great turnout for conservation

[@montymartin3978]

Thank you for that incredible footage! For those who are leaving negative comments about the size of the nest box, in natural cavities, these birds don't always have it that good. I asked a wildlife manager once, why a wood duck nested in my screech owl box in my aunt's woods, nearly a mile from a major water source? He said, "Some times, they (the water fowl) have to nest great distances from a major water source, because there aren't enough large cavities for them very nearby." Made sense. My cousin is currently digging a kidney-shaped one acre pond. I've asked his permission to place eastern bluebird, tree swallow and purple martin housing around it. I plan also to ask about bat roosts. And, why not wood duck boxes?!

[@nahdiasaltz6081]

I cannot Express enough thanks to you for this BEAUTIFUL story posting!! This is my first time I 've ever viewed how incredibly caring this mother was & in such protection!!!!.. An assurance **making Sure every single one of her babies are accounted for & Safe!!! I cannot Thank you enough for this posting!!!.This was the first time I've ever viewed something of this nature and I was sitting on pins & needles the whole time as i watched mommy in action!!!. . . .

[@manko717]

Awesome. We are putting up 6 boxes. I will upgrade my climb out ladder, after seeing yours. Thank you for recording and posting this.

[@louielouiepks]

Merganser/cuckoo duck. Little mergansers are cute with their fuzzy heads.

[@lizzardbreath2372]

Oh I'm so glad I found this! I loved it! The drama of nature and beautiful actors!

[@nealgrunstra4362]

What a LOVELY story - and thanks for dedication it took to put this all together! I have recently moved from a home with a large backyard

[@davebashford3753]

I was fishing in the Sierras several years ago and was lucky enough to see a bunch of merganser chicks leave their nest. What was surprising to me was the nest was 50 feet up in an old pine, and the landing zone was rocks. They'd hit and bounce a bit, lay there stunned for half a minute and then run down to mom waiting just off shore. They all survived the drop.

[@AnsariAli-ux1fu]

MashaAllah, V.nice,

[@cathythorp]

Absolutely beautiful. I saw a stunning male wood duck in Hyde Park, the day after the Queen's Funeral!

[@fannyzepeda6218]

I love wood ducks! Add a like and a reply to my comment for those who are a HUGE fan of wood ducks!

[@daniellehner1383]

Great video! Amazing how the little ones can climb and jump from such a height. Thank you for the video!

[@user-yh4rx8vr3k]

so beautiful 😍 💖 💗 ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ and 💓 thanks 😊 🙏 😀

[@coastwiseable]

Wonderful story and clever photography ! Thanks.

[@MySpace662]

If that's your backyard, it's beautiful

[@dayzemae9015]

That was a nail bitter! I was sweating just watching!

[@AnonAnonAnon]

Fantastic video! Thanks for sharing!

[@Resenbrink]

What a great little video and very interesting, thanks for posting.

[@kapaluatime]

This was a terrific educational video on the wood duck and the wood duck box. Thank you. We recently have wood ducks in our stream which I have never seen before. We have had Mallards and Mandarins but have never seen the Wood ducks. They are incredibly beautiful. We are in Southern California north of San Diego. Really enjoyed your video.