Wood Duck Nest Box
by Dick Vaught
Construction: No man-made nesting device for waterfowl has gone through more design changes than that
for the beautiful wood duck. Early types were usually made of wood, while newer models are constructed
predominantly of plastics or metal. If nest boxes are to be mounted in trees, they should be made predatorproof.
Tack a 6-inch-wide strip of 1/4-inch hardware cloth or screen wire inside th box from the bottom to
the hole so the ducklings can climb out. Be sure nesting material (6 inches of wood shavings
or sawdust) has been place in the box.
Comment: Although nesting boxes are intended primarily for wood ducks, other species of wildlife will
also find them attractive for homes. Possible users include owls, kestrels, woodpeckers, hooded mergansers
and even a honeybee swarm or two.
Biology: Wood ducks nest from mid-February to mid-March. A dozen eggs is an average clutch.
Incubation is about 32 days. Ducklings leave the box immediately after hatching. Free falls of up to 40 feet
apparently do them no harm. First flight is at about nine weeks. One brood per year is normal, but two
broods can occur. Early foods are primarily insects, but later these ducks eat
vegetable.
Materials Required:
Approx. 13 sq. ft. of 1/4" marine plywood, exterior plywood or 1" lumber (cypress, spruce, white cedar). If
1" lumber, eliminate framework and make sidewalls 12" wide. This reduces roof overhang to 2" on sides
and 4 1/2" in front.
Framework, four 1" x 1" boards, 23 3/4" long; eight 1" x 1" boards 8" long.
Two large eye screws and 5 ft. No. 9 smooth wire.
One 6" x 14" strip of screen wire.
Finishing nails or wood screws.
One gallon dry sawdust.
Paint any dark shade.
(Note: Two 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets of plywood will provide material for five nesting boxes.)


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