Woody! Woody! Woody! — Susan Kirby

Woody, Prince of the Pond

There is a separate page for Wood Ducks, but this page is dedicated to the most incredible wood duck to ever squeak: Woody, Prince of the Pond, who resides in Central Park.

Woody leaves every spring for parts unknown, but generally returns in June to molt. In 2019, he came back one day in May, and then disappeared again. I was told he returned in late July, and I saw him on July 23. I am pretty sure these first photos are of Prince Woody and not of Woody Jr., but the yellow ring around the eyes has make me wonder. He came when I called, so we’ll see if the rings become red again. Woody has trained several other male wood ducks to behave as he does, and to answer when I call out “Woody! Woody! Woody!”

*Back at the Pond, after the molt, August 1, 2019*

*Woody at the Pond, after his vacay. He was back with his mallard buddies, and resting after his trip, May 16, 2019. He headed off somewhere again, and I didn’t see him again until late July.*

*Prince Woody and Viscount Woody were both very Woody-esque on March 20, 2019*

*Woody, Prince of the Pond, Central Park, during a snowstorm, February 12, 2019*

Genus Aix

Woody Behaves Like a Male Duck

Much as it is fun to make up stories about what Woody does and thinks, every now and then Woody behaves like a male duck and the observer tries to record the behavior and refrain from judgment. On April 4, 2018, Woody was seen force copulating with a female mallard, a sight that was a little disturbing to watch. I filmed it, and tried to present it as a naturalist's observation. Watching male mallards gang attack a female mallard is disturbing, because it seems brutal and vicious. I have watched mallards almost drown a female. To watch a duck I thought I knew participate in this behavior reminds me that Woody is indeed a wild animal and behaves as wild animals do. (More reflections in my blog posting.)

*Woody with the female mallard he swims with, April 4, 2018, the Pond*

Here you can see Woody and his "students," the young wood ducks who arrive at the Pond as normal shy wood ducks and learn to be aggressive, self-assured woodies after hanging out with Prince Woody.

Uncle Woody Explains It All!

Woody's newest student has been learning a lot at the Pond. Check out my blog posting, my video and some pictures of Woody and his mentoree.

*Woody and Junior, Oct. 13, 2016, the Pond, Central Park*

Here you can see Woody and his "students," the young wood ducks who arrive at the Pond as normal shy wood ducks and learn to be aggressive, self-assured woodies after hanging out with Prince Woody.

Welcome Back, Woody!

In previous years, Woody would leave the Pond for maybe a week or a month, usually in May. This year, Woody left March 5 (or at least, I last saw him on March 4), and did not return. I kept returning to the Pond, but the worry and sadness got stronger and stronger as I didn't see him. I kept myself busy chasing hawks, but I really missed my friend.

*Woody, Prince of the Pond, Sept. 16, 2016*

But Woody returned!!! I saw him once again on June 16, and my joy was overwhelming. I put together my "love letter video" to Woody, and share it with you now. Woody is shown in full feather before his vacay, and then in the different stages of molting until he is back in full feather once again. It was filmed March 3 through Oct. 3, 2016. I set it to Beethoven's Sixth Symphony, and he is worthy of that masterpiece!

This gallery shows Woody going through the molt. It begins with a photo from March 3, right before he disappeared, and then shows him after his return in June through Oct. 2, 2016.

Woody, Prince of the Pond

Here is a video the Chronicler put together, a little ode to Woody, the Wonderful Wood Duck, Prince of the Pond.

This is the amazing Woody on March 2, 2016. He always sparkles in the sunshine. He left later in March, and has not yet returned. I look forward to his return to the Pond to molt. I miss him and his wonderful squeak.

Left and center: Woody on Feb. 11, 2016; right: Woody on March 4, 2013.

This is Woody during the Jan. 23, 2016, blizzard. He is always handsome, but in the snow, he shines!

Woody on a sunnier days in 2013.