The Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) is a species of perching duck native to North America. These ducks are said to be one of the most colorful ducks and elegant ducks in the world, along with the aptly named mandarin duck. The males are the most colorful to attract the females during the mating season. These ducks get their name from their habit of perching in trees. They have specialized claws and toes to help grab the branch the way most perching birds can. Most ducks can't perch on tree branches because they have such big webbed feet, but wood ducks have reduced webbing unlike other ducks. This also gives them an evolutionary advantage over other ducks, allowing them to stay safe from predators on the ground. They can even have their chicks in tree cavities to keep them safe.
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