Aix sponsa
Range
They breed in southern Canada, through the eastern U.S., south to Cuba and in the West from British Columbia south along Pacific Coast to southern California. In the winter they live in the southern part of their range.
Habitat
They live along wooded rivers, marshes, ponds and swamps.
Body Traits
They are a many-colored duck with a small, red, triangle-shaped bill. Thay have a head crest, white chin patch, and a long tail. They have a shiny blue-green patch (speculum) on each wing, with a white edge. The females are a dull, gray brown.
Habits
They will nest in tree holes and man-made nesting boxes.
Diet
They eat plants, seeds, fruits and some insects.
Reproduction
They nest in tree holes or nest boxes lined with down from the female’s breast. She lays 6 – 15 (sometimes as many as 40!) cream colored eggs.
Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Aix
Species: A. sponsa