I'll do some on-line and book research, but am wondering if folks in
Tweeterland can help me interpret some Wood Duck behavior.

Yesterday I was at Snake Lake before the Rainiers' home opener, on the first
bridge. Three Wood Ducks were at the pond: two males and a female.

The female was snoozing on a floating log, the males were on the pond,
calling to her. She didn't vocalize in response or stir from her snooze,
and pretty much ignored the guys. One of the males, though, had what
appeared to be a "proprietary interest" in her. He'd swim towards her,
lower his head so it was on the surface of the water, and then stretch his
neck out and flap his bill at her. Eventually she plopped into the water
and returned the behavior, but only briefly. Still, she didn't respond to
his whistles.

Male #2 kept approaching the female, Male #1 would chase him off. Female
ignored both males. There were many, many approaches by Male #2, and many,
many chase-offs by Male #1. Things got pretty intense a few times, with
chases and wing-flapping, etc. Once there was about a 20-foot gap between
Male #1 and female, and Male #2. Male #2 started swimming towards the pair,
Male #1 immediately charged at him, even though there was quite a distance
between the birds.

I wonder if the pair bond between Male #1 and female is cemented or if the
cement is still curing at this point. In the past when I've seen/heard
mated pairs of WODU, the female always responds to the male's vocalizations
and pays more attention when he approaches her. Also, is the
neck-stretching and bill-flapping courtship behavior or pair-bond behavior?
Do you suppose Male #2 will keep challenging Male #1/the "pair," or is there
a point at which he'll give up??

Gorgeous birds, it was lots of fun to watch them.

Any info appreciated, thanks in advance,
Mary

Mary Klein
Bremerton WA
CelloBird at seanet.com