Understanding the breeding ecology and population dynamics of wood ducks defines this project. Research examines the components of wood duck breeding complexes and their spatial arrangement within forested landscapes, tracks how females with broods move among habitat components, and evaluates mating systems and reproductive potential. Particular emphasis is placed on improving the precision of demographic vital-rate estimates and identifying sources of variability in rates that have historically been difficult to quantify. Genetic analysis strengthens this effort by sequencing mitochondrial and nuclear DNA from captured birds. These data support assessment of mating systems, provide a pilot framework for delineating wood duck subpopulations, and help identify factors that limit lifetime breeding potential. All samples are processed through the Lavretsky laboratory for genetic testing and downstream population genetics and relatedness analyses, integrating ecological and genomic approaches to advance understanding of wood duck population structure and reproductive dynamics.