Currently all members of Anatidae in Eastern N.A. are not endangered, however this was not always the case. In the late 1800's to early 1900's the Wood Duck was near extinction. At the time Wood Ducks inhabited dense woodlands, slow flowing creeks, secluded pools and marshy ponds in North American Forests. Much of these forests were lost at the turn of the century. Drainage and logging wiped out swamps and the large hollow trees that were used for nesting. Wood ducks were the most hunted waterfowl prior to 1918. They used to be stuff and displayed in homes and their feathers were used as lures for trout fishing.
However, in 1918 the Migratory Bird Treaty Act was made law and that prohibited the hunting of Wood Ducks nationwide. This ban lasted for 23 years until populations recovered around 1941. Being able to survive close to human settlements has greatly helped the ducks due to a widespread nest building project. These artificial nests have helped Wood Duck populations recover by giving them more places to nest. Currently the Wood Duck is a common bird and is not endangered.
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| Current Wood Duck range map. |
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That is a great success story. I guess urbanization is not always the case for a species to be endangered.
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