The Wood Duck Earns Official Recognition in Michigan
Michigan has officially welcomed a new emblem into its collection of state symbols. On Thursday, Governor Gretchen Whitmer enacted a new law that designates the Wood Duck as the state’s official duck.
The legislation, House Bill 4044, was introduced by Representative Alabas Farhat from Dearborn. It successfully passed through both chambers of the Michigan Legislature with strong bipartisan support before reaching the governor’s desk.
The Wood Duck’s story is one of remarkable recovery. At the brink of extinction at the end of the 1800s due to habitat loss and hunting, this species was among those that benefited from the Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1918. This historic act, as detailed by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, played a crucial role in reviving populations of the Wood Duck along with other birds like the Canada Goose and Trumpeter Swan.
Recent observations by the National Audubon Society indicate that Wood Ducks are now expanding their range further north and west, showcasing their resilience and adaptability.
With this new designation, the Wood Duck joins a distinguished roster of state symbols in Michigan, including the American Robin as the state bird, trout as the state fish, and Kalkaska sand as the state soil.
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