A Quiverfull Wood Duck? Well, maybe.
Twelve is probably average for a Wood Duck clutch and, I was surprised to learn, sixteen is actually well within “normal” range. But sometimes, more than one female will lay eggs in a clutch. These are called “dump nests” and clutch sizes of up to sixty are not out of the question. These huge clutches are rarely incubated, but dump nests of thirty eggs are commonly successful in nest boxes.
So Mama Woodie could be taking care of only her young’uns. Or she may be raising ducklings from eggs “contributed” by friends and family. Either way, I hope the poor girl has some Xanax to get her through.
References:
“Wood Duck: Life History.” All About Birds. Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology. Accessed 25 May 2015.
Dugger, Katie M., and Leigh H. Fredrickson. “Life History and Habitat Needs of the Wood Duck.” In Waterfowl Management Handbook. Washington, D.C.: [U.S. Dept. of the Interior, Fish and Wildlife Service], 1992.