They respond with peeping calls and immediately begin to spring upward towards the nest entrance where they pause momentarily before springing outward to the water or land, in some cases over 60 feet below. Amazingly, they land unhurt. If on land, the clutch is immediately led to water which may take several hours. Brood bonds began to break up after the fifth week. Ducklings are fully feathered and can fly at 8 to 10 weeks.
Drakes follow their mates to their former breeding areas.
Wood ducks have a phenomenal ability to return to the same breeding area year after year. These may be abandoned, though if successfully brooded can increase production. Unmated drakes return to their natal area. Over much of the year wood ducks occur in pairs or in flocks of 4 to 15, but hundreds may gather at fall and winter roost sites. Flight swift and direct.