additional boost to wood duck production. More information on the efficacy of nest boxes can be found in the Conservation Evidence webpage. Wood duck boxes have been found to be less effective than natural, hollow, dead trees but remain overall beneficial for the population. Landowners as well as park and refuge managers can encourage wood ducks by building wood duck nest boxes near lakes, ponds, and streams. Fulda, Minnesota, has adopted the wood duck as an unofficial mascot, and a large number of nest boxes can be found in the area. Expanding North American beaver populations throughout the wood duck's range have also helped the population rebound as beavers create an ideal forested wetland habitat for wood ducks. The population of the wood duck has increased a great deal in the last several years. The increase has been due to the work of many people constructing wood duck boxes and conserving vital habitat for the wood ducks to breed. During the open waterfowl season, U.S. hunters have been allowed to take only two wood ducks per day in the Atlantic and Mississippi Flyways. However, for the 2008–2009 season, the limit was raised to three. The wood duck limit remains at two in the Central Flyway and at seven in the Pacific Flyway. It is the second most commonly hunted duck in North America, after the mallard. In popular culture In 2013, the Royal Canadian Mint created two coins to commemorate the wood duck. The two coins are each part of a three coin set to help promote Ducks Unlimited Canada as well as celebrate its 75th anniversary. It is featured in James Thurber's short story "The Wood Duck". Gallery References External links Wood Duck Society wood duck wood duck Birds of North America Birds of Cuba Birds of the Caribbean wood duck wood duck Extant Pleistocene first appearances