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. Wings proportionately broader than those of other ducks, making them adept at twisting and turning as they adroitly thread their way through branches of trees. North America's most strikingly colored duck. Hen has squealing alarm call, drake has goldfinch-like call.