The Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) possesses a unique vocal repertoire that sharply contrasts with the sounds of typical pond ducks. Unlike the familiar, low-pitched calls of other dabbling ducks, the Wood Duck’s sounds are distinctly high-pitched and often have a squealing or whistling quality. Understanding these vocalizations is a reliable method for identifying this species, even when it remains hidden within its preferred wooded wetland habitat.
The Distinctive Female Alarm Call
The female’s primary vocalization is a loud, high-pitched, and drawn-out squeal that often rises and then falls in tone. Ornithologists often transcribe this sound phonetically as “oo-eek” or “cree-eek,” which is typically repeated in a series. This sharp, almost squeaky quality makes the female’s call noticeably different from the deeper, more guttural quacks of many other duck species.
This sound is produced with considerable volume and carries well across water and through dense vegetation. The high pitch and metallic texture of the call serve to cut through ambient noise in the dense, forested swamps where these ducks live. It alerts any listener to the presence of an active hen, even if the bird itself remains out of sight.
Male Vocalizations and Courtship Sounds
The male Wood Duck, or drake, is generally far less vocal than the female, and his sounds are quieter and more subdued. The drake’s primary vocalization is a thin, high-pitched whistle that is often described as a soft, rising and falling “zeet” or “peep.”
These sounds are predominantly used in close-range communication, especially during pair-bonding and courtship. A drake uses this soft whistle to maintain contact with the hen while resting or feeding on the water. The musical quality of the male’s call contrasts sharply with the female’s loud alarm, reflecting its function as a conversational and display sound rather than a warning.
Vocalizations Based on Context
The female’s distinctive loud squeal serves as a flight call when the duck is airborne. This repeated “cree-eek” is used by the female to maintain flock cohesion and communication while the birds are flying, especially when navigating through wooded areas. This high-volume signal helps the group stay together and announces their passage.
When Wood Ducks are settled on the water or near a nesting site, their calls become noticeably quieter and more varied. Both sexes employ a range of soft murmurs, contact calls, and low whistles, often called “sitting sounds.” These low-volume sounds function as contentment signals or subtle warnings when the birds are slightly disturbed. Quiet contact calls are particularly important for a hen communicating with her ducklings inside a tree cavity nest.
How to Distinguish Wood Ducks from Other Waterfowl
Identifying the Wood Duck by sound sets it apart from common waterfowl. The most notable difference is the absence of the typical, low-frequency quack that characterizes female Mallards and other related ducks. Mallard hens produce a loud, repetitive, and deep quack that is sonically distinct from the Wood Duck’s sharp, rising squeal.
Other whistling ducks, such as various species of Teal, often produce high-pitched peeps, but these are typically short, sharp, and brief in comparison to the Wood Duck’s drawn-out, rising note. The Wood Duck’s call is unique in its metallic, almost siren-like quality, especially when used as the loud alarm or flight call. By focusing on this high-pitched, squealing tone, observers can distinguish the presence of a Wood Duck from nearly all other species of North American waterfowl.