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Better WetlandsPhoto of a landuser performing maintenance on a nesting structure

Waterfowl Nesting Structures

Nesting structures have proven to increase nesting of Canada geese, mallards and wood ducks. Large round hay bales, culverts, post structures, tree structures, and floating structures have all been used successfully. Detailed information on how to build, install and maintain the structures is contained in publications available from State and Federal wildlife agencies.

It may take several years before ducks and geese try them. Once they do, however, they and their offspring will likely return to nest year after year.

Waterfowl will not bring nesting materials to the nest. Each year, nesting material should be added by March 1. The number one cause of failure of nesting structures in the past has been lack of maintenance.

Photo of a landuser building a mallard nestMallard Nests

Horizontal cylinders are widely used for mallards. The cylinder should be 2 to 3 feet long with a 12-inch diameter welded wire cylinder placed inside a 14-inch diameter welded wire cylinder.

Place grass hay between the cylinders, and in the bottom of the inside cylinder of a mallard nest.

Use goose nest guidelines for placement, except that mallards like the nests to be at the edges of old cattails or bulrushes, just above them.

Photo of a wood duck nest placed on a treePhoto of three wood duck nests erected on a pole
Wood Duck Nests

Wood duck nests can be made of a wide variety of materials or purchased local and national outlets.

When building a wood duck box, include a predator guard, and drain holes in the bottom to keep nest materials dry. Place the nest on a pole six to ten feet above dry land or four to five feet above normal water level. Use one nest for every two acres of wetlands to begin with, but increase to two per acre after use begins.

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Contact Information

You may send comments regarding this Web site to:

State Biologist

Mike Townsend
Syracuse, New York
Telephone: 315-477-6537

If you encounter any problems with files provided on this page, have questions, suggestions, or find a broken link, please contact Gary Vandawalker at 315-477-6546.

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