Wood Duck

The wood duck is one of the most beautifully patterned ducks in the world, and this page shows it off perched on a low branch over the water. It has a crested head with a long swept-back crest, a face marked with bold stripes, and intricate feather markings running along its body and folded wings. With so much fine detail, this is a rewarding page for older kids and adults who love careful, colorful shading. In real life the male wood duck is dazzling, with an iridescent green-and-purple head, a red eye, and a chestnut chest covered in white speckles. Unlike most ducks, wood ducks nest in tree holes, and their ducklings famously leap from high nests to the ground below. Reach for jewel tones to do this duck justice. Print it on US Letter or A4 for a detailed nature page.