When a prospective cavity is found, a hen wood duck will land in the tree and carefully inspect the site for a variety of characteristics, including size, shape and security from predators and the elements. Wood duck females typically build their nests in tree cavities near wetlands. Since these pioneering efforts, thousands of wood duck boxes have been built and erected by a diversity of people and groups, from wildlife agencies to conservation-minded private citizens. More than half were used by "woodies," revealing the great management potential of the boxes. Over the next two years, Arthur Hawkins and renowned wood duck expert Frank Bellrose erected 700 rough-cut cypress board boxes throughout Illinois. This represented the first recorded use of artificial nesting structures for wood ducks.
Fish & Wildlife Service) erected 486 bark-covered slab wooden boxes, which are thought to have been designed by biologists Gil Gigstead and Milford Smith at Chautauqua National Wildlife Refuge in central Illinois. Wood duck boxes provide an excellent opportunity for anyone to become involved in wildlife management. However, the recovery of the wood duck was also assisted by the advent of artificial nesting structures, or wood duck boxes. The dramatic rebound of wood duck populations since that time can be largely attributed to protection provided by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. Overharvesting, coupled with the destruction of bottomland habitats, drove these colorful birds to the brink of extinction by the early 20th century. Unfortunately, their distribution within densely settled regions made them readily accessible to market hunters throughout the year. In precolonial times, the wood duck was likely the most abundant waterfowl species in eastern North America.
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