The Australian Wood Duck from my personal observations over the years is the most faithful partner and father of the birds I have observed. When the male finds its partner for life they become inseparable, and will always be seen grazing, nesting, raising the young and resting together.

With Father’s Day only just last Sunday, here in Australia, I thought it only fitting to honour this bird and its faithful fathering skills. One of my favorite family counselling sayings is, Be Present, which is something I have had to always remind myself in my busy life. Men in particular need to be reminded, because one of the sad features in Australian families as other 1st world countries, is the absent father syndrome which breaks the hearts of the wives and children who so much need their love and affirmation.

In the much larger and improved Third Edition of my first book “What Birds Teach Us”, which I am currently working on, the Australian Wood Duck will be depicted as ‘Learn Faithful Parenting from the Australian Wood Duck.’ This book will have many more bird species included along with their interesting behaviours and life lessons.

Click on the above image if you have not yet explored my 2nd edition of this book and would like to purchase it, as this is currently my best seller and very popular in National Parks and local council visitor information centres. Many have found it an excellent Christmas or birthday gift for children from 7 to 12 years old. My third edition may be a couple of years away from publishing.

The Male Wood Duck is always looking out to protect the brood since they are literally sitting ducks and extremely vulnerable to predation by raptors and even other large birds, foxes and ferule cats. Twelve chicks may be reduced to but a few during the juvenile stages since they graze on open grass. The fact they they nest in trees, unlike other ducks, they have at least a chance to breed, though the large Lace Monitor lizards can sometimes raid their nests in our local National Park. Click photo to enlarge.

wood duck family in flight
grazing under father’s watchful eye
Female Male

Here is part of a large clutch of juvenile Wood Ducks following closely behind their father who always leads the way. The mother will be trailing behind to ensure all babies are following. She can communicate with a quack if need be, and he will hiss and attack any creature that gets too close to his brood. Having been attacked on a previous occasion I know they are very effecting protectors. Notice the babies all resemble the mother (female bird) as with most juvenile bird species. As they mature the males will begin to beget plumage appropriate and similar to their father. The females mature very early and can start nesting at only one year of age.

This pair may have lost some of their clutch to predators, possibly large birds, cats and foxes. Despite this the Australian Wood Duck reproduces very well, and their good parenting pays off. Wood Ducks can live from 3 to even 15 years and are found all throughout mainland Australia including Tasmania and even the arid inland regions.

Have a wonderful week and enjoy your birds ! We are noticing that the male and female species of our resident Grey Butcherbirds are following each other closely at present as they court and mate and prepare for nesting. We usually only see them come to the birdbaths together in Spring..

There is much wisdom on effective parenting in my second book “Flight of a Fledgling”.

Remember: Children in their formative years are sponges soaking up everything they feel, see and hear and committing it to memory. Memories and learnt behaviours which they will take with them for the remainder of their lives as the pattern and style they have learned to follow. What you teach them by your actions, words and emotions is what you will receive back from them in return. It will impinge on their emotional well being making them feel either loved, valued, confident and secure or unwanted, unimportant, rejected and insecure.

“The righteous lead blameless lives [ as they model to their children a life of love, honesty and respect] ;  blessed are their children after them.” – Proverbs 20:7 (NIV)

“Discipline your children [after having modelled to them your good example], and they will give you peace; they will bring you the delights you desire.” – Proverbs 29:17

“Start children off on the way they should go [by modelling to them your good example] , and even when they are old they will not turn from it.” – Proverbs 22:6

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Adv. Dip. in Counselling and Family Therapy.

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And learn from them how to live a healthy and happy life.

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Posted on 12 By aussiebirder Australian Birds Posted in Australian Birds
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aussiebirder

My wife and I share a love of bird observing and bird photography which takes us all over Australia. We love sharing our experiences. Birds live in the beautiful parts of our country. We always get blessed with beautiful gifts of new birds and unexpected experiences each time we go out birding or just walking in the parks and reserves in our wonderful land. We love Australia, and the variety that each state and region offers in its wildlife and nature aspects. Join us in sharing our love. We have always found other birders enthusiastic and friendly people who appreciate the good things in life.

12 Comments »

  1. Hello Ash,
    It is wonderful to see a ‘shining example’ of fatherhood and partnership through your beautiful Australian Wood Ducks!
    I also agree that “Be present” is a great motto for parents, and for all of us with treasured relationships with loved ones. I also think the trappings of our modern society (with so many distractions) make it challenging to be in the present.

    I was able to go on a much-needed mini-birding trip this past weekend and saw some more Little Grebe chicks. Will tell you and your wife more about it soon.

    Always in our thoughts and prayers and updates to come.

    Liked by 1 person

    • Thanks Takami, yes we need to encourage good fathering, as it is so vital to healthy family relationships and emotional stability. We are enjoying time away in the far west of our state in the outback desert of Broken Hill, a famous heritage listed town. We are hoping to see a lifer or two but will be content seeing birds. We did a 14 hr train journey yesterday. We pray your new job situation is an improvement for you. So glad you got to have a birding time which would have been so therapeutic. Loved the chicks you last sent, so beautiful captures. Enjoy your week my friend 😊

      Liked by 1 person

  2. Hi Ashely,

    They are beautiful looking ducks. And my observations tally with yours. They are very faithful as a pair, and are rarely seen apart. They also pay great attention to the safetly and security of their young. Unlike some others that seem to lose one here or there along the way. Woodies seem to know how many they have, and defend them fearlessly. It’s a clever predactor that gets past that hissing, wingwaving bird.
    I always get the message very quickly and try not to upset them.

    They do seem to have a fault of liking to loaf on footpaths or mown grass which does make them a bit vulnerable. On the water the young can quickly disappear among the reeds.

    The call of the female that sounds like like a cat ‘meow’ is always a welcome sound.

    Great to see some fine images and lots to ponder

    Weather here really is for ducks. The high winds and the biting cold has kept us home nearly the week.

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    • Thanks anonymous, yes it is a wonderful example for us all of faithful parenting, and a call to all fathers to be present and actively engaged with their wife and children. Thankyou for your welcome comment, enjoy your week.

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