Australian Wood Duck

Natural Shelter

These strikingly patterned ‘little geese’ are often found around Perth. The Australian Wood Duck frequently graze on lawns and in gardens located near wetlands. Families walk together in large groups including the parents and over a dozen ducklings.

The Australian Wood Duck nests in tree hollows of old gum trees. Keep and maintain large trees in the garden to provide nesting habitat for native ducks. In winter and spring time families are known to venture into suitable gardens with their ducklings. Dense shrubbery and clumping grasses can provide suitable shelter for parenting ducks and their ducklings.

Novel Shelter

Below is a template and important considerations regarding nest boxes for Wood Ducks.

• Install the box on a tall tree close to the main trunk or a thick horizontal limb five meters or higher.
• Position nest boxes away from direct afternoon sun.
• Nest boxes are a long-term commitment and need maintenance and repair over time.
• Never use metal wire inside a box. A wooden ladder or notches in the timber is much more suitable and won’t damage claws or talons.
• Chipboard boxes degrade quickly and require replacement after a year of use.
• Hardier untreated timber (Jarrah) is less prone to attack by fungi, bacteria, and microorganisms.
• Do not use treated timber as this can emit fumes toxic to wildlife and their young.
• Maintenance is critical to ensure any resident wildlife and their offspring remain safe.

Providing natural sources of food

Wood Ducks are adapted to eating grasses and other low vegetation. They enjoy grazing on lawn and readily march down streets with their ducklings in toe looking for food.

Providing sources of water

Wood Ducks live near water and have been known to visit large bird baths, pools, and frog ponds to drink. If you have a below ground pool or a deep pond, include a platform to allow duckling an easier exit from the water.