Hi

The book "Ducks, Geese and Swans of North America", by Frank C. Bellrose
has a lot of good information in it.

It talks about last years family, especially the females , but including
unmated males, returning to the placxe they were raised. And appearing
as a 'family" group.

They are shy birds.
During the molt, males stay hidden.
Molting males make take over brodding the eggs, if the female has
desertd the nest.
Occationally 'dump nests' might be hatched,
but usually not.
Nests have been found with 2 female ducks sitting in the same nest..and
then both take care of the brood of ducklings.
Hes move their broods from one waterway to another in about two weeks

IThis book makes very good reading. Contains a lot if info. I eally
recommend it as one that should be in the serious birders library.

I have friends that live in Quilcene, Wa who have a pond n their
property. They usually have a least 1 nesting pair of wood ducks.

They ddo not get to see much of the baby ducks. Mama duck does not show
them off. and befor very long, the whole family leaves for parts
unknown.........

Hope this was helpful .

Betty Boyd
Cimacum, Wa
critrhse at webtv.net