WOOD Duck N SKUNK CABBAGE

 

Have you ever asked yourself

” I wonder if wildlife would eat that beautiful but very smelly Western Skunk Cabbage”?

---

I have the answer to that question with the assistance of my beautiful friend, the male Wood Duck. I discovered this magnificent Wood Duck and its mate examining the Beaver Pond in the ACLF.

We made eye contact, and employing my special abilities, I inquired if he would do something memorable for me.

After a brief pause, my new companion headed towards a Western Skunk Cabbage. Skunk Cabbage is among the first wildflowers to emerge in spring.

He appeared to be highly interested in the spadix, the central part of the flower.

He grabs it and snaps the top off. They enjoy consuming the seeds of the spadix.

It is confirmed, with the assistance of my friend, that Wood Ducks consume skunk cabbage. They are among the few animals capable of digesting the plant's tough leaves and stems. Skunk cabbage serves as a valuable food source for wood ducks, providing essential nutrients such as protein, carbohydrates, and vitamins. Additionally, the plant aids keeping wood ducks hydrated due to its high-water content.

Wood ducks are not the sole animals that consume skunk cabbage.

Other animals that consume skunk cabbage include beavers, muskrats, and deer. Skunk cabbage is also a significant food source for insects, such as beetles and butterflies.

Wood ducks play a vital role in the wetland ecosystem. They aid in controlling mosquitoes and other pests, and they provide food for other animals, such as hawks and owls.

If you are fortunate enough to observe a male wood duck, take a moment to appreciate its beauty and its significance to the environment.

The Anacortes Community Forest Lands in Anacortes, Washington, represent a crucial component of the ecosystem amidst a growing population. The ACFL should be managed with respect to allow the wildlife in the area to thrive and enable nature to sustain a healthy balance. Numerous remarkable and beautiful creatures inhabit the forest, visible to those who allow nature to speak for itself.

ACFL North, Anacortes, WA
Anacortes Community Forest Lands

For information about the ACFL : Friends of the Forest

© Chris LeBoutillier