Wood Ducks were on the brink of extinction in the early 1900s, but thanks largely to hunting regulation and nest box programs, they recovered and became a true conservation success story. However, climate change may pose new threats to Wood Ducks. A long-term study reveals that increasingly extreme summer heat waves may reduce the success of Wood Ducks nesting in the Sacramento Valley. By identifying effects of climate change on Wood Duck breeding biology, we may be able to adjust our management strategies to improve the efficacy of nest boxes and ensure that this ecologically and socially important species persists into the future. 

Tenaya Russell grew up in Fort Bragg and developed a passion for birds and birding at a young age. She graduated with a B.Sc. in Wildlife Biology and is currently pursuing a M.Sc. in Ecology from UC Davis. Tenaya’s research focuses on the effects of climate change on Wood Duck breeding biology in the Sacramento Valley.