Even during the summer when there are young ducklings to be nurtured, then hen will leave twice during the day to feed. One of the most spectacular sites to view is when a flock of wood ducks returns to the roosting area shortly after dusk. Along the Wisconsin River, it is not uncommon to see 200-300 wood ducks come into a roosting area no larger than 1 acre in size within minutes of each other. Breeding generally takes place in winter on the birds established breeding habitat. Once the wood ducks are paired, the hen becomes the dominant species and will almost always lead the drake in flight.
Wood ducks are able to breed after one year of life.
The wood ducks instincts are strong and will actually return to their previous nesting spot, and if the prior hatch was successful, even to the same tree or man-made box. Wood ducks will seek out abandoned nests of woodpeckers and squirrels. Then only modification to the tree cavity is when the hen uses her own down feathers to insulate the eggs. A wood ducks average clutch consists of 8-15 eggs, however, if another hen is experiencing difficulty in finding a nest, she will dump her eggs with another hens. Most clutches are hatched from 28-30n days, and shortly after, the drake will start losing interest.