Wood Ducks in Watson Woods

The biological family anatidae includes ducks, geese and swans.   Anyone familiar with the fairy tale, "The Ugly Duckling," knows that the title character ultimately grows not into a duck at all but into a swan, "the most beautiful bird of all."  Of course, there are in fact quite a few equally beautiful ducks as swans in their large family, in which the wood duck might be the fairest.

Arizona isn't the breeding ground for the wood duck, however some do winter here, while others migrate through.   As their name implies, they tend to live on small lakes and swamps in heavily wooded locations.  But most of this state's precious water resources are managed through a network of rivers, canals and reservoirs, all vast engineering endeavors.  However we're lucky to have some restored and quiet riparian areas like Watson Woods in Prescott. 

Late last century, the local community and state recognized the value of a healthy watershed along Granite Creek in Prescott for clean drinking water, recreation and conservation.   So 126 acres of the a segment of the waterway's original 1,000 acres of forest are now protected as the Watson Woods Riparian Preserve thanks to the non-profit organization Prescott Creeks.  Many native trees have regenerated and are thriving - including local willows and cottonwoods - creating an oasis in the middle of a crowded central Arizona community.  In addition to the seasonally flowing Granite Creek, a nearby pond is maintained, creating habitat for even more native flora and fauna.    Many birds - especially migratory species - call the forest home. 

I suspect the wood ducks are going to spend the winter on this pond.  But if they're gone on a return visit later in the fall, I'll know they were migrating through to other destinations south.  In any case, they are no ugly ducklings, and I was thrilled for a first and lucky chance to see several of these beautiful birds in the wild.

Two male wood ducks in Watson Woods.

Wood ducks - two male and one female - in Watson Woods.

Wood ducks - two male and one female - in Watson Woods.

Female wood duck with male in Watson Woods.

View of the wooded pond in Watson Woods.

View of the pond in Watson Woods.

Wood ducks in Watson Woods.

Male wood ducks taking off in Watson Woods.

Wood ducks in Watson Woods.

Male wood duck in Watson Woods.

Two male wood ducks in Watson Woods.

Close up of a wood duck pair in a Las Vegas bird habitat exhibit.

Mandarin duck pair in a Las Vegas bird habitat exhibit.  While native to Asia, they are frequently found in North American waterways.  Just as colorful, they are the closest relative to this continent's wood duck.