LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Just when you thought that politicians in Michigan couldn’t possibly agree on anything, lawmakers have officially waddled into new territory: the state now has an official duck.
After flying through both chambers, the bipartisan bill, House Bill 4044, has designated the wood duck as Michigan’s official state duck, putting it alongside the state’s apple blossom (flower), robin (bird), and the painted turtle (reptile). Yes, it was a rare moment in Lansing where everyone more or less agreed on something.
From bill to duck.
The bill, introduced in January 2025, moved at a steady clip. It passed the House in June with a 92-17 vote and cleared the Senate this week with a 31-4 vote before being sent back for final enrollment. Now it heads to the governor’s desk for her signature. A press release sent out on Thursday indicates that she will sign the bill.
The bill’s lead sponsor is State Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) and it gained bipartisan co-sponsors along the way.
What is a wood duck?
The wood duck – one of North America’s most striking waterfowl – is uniquely suited to Michigan’s landscape, where forests and wetlands meet. Unlike most ducks, wood ducks perch and nest in tree cavities, often high above the ground near rivers, ponds, and wooded swamps – habitats Michigan has in abundance. Each spring, they migrate back to the state already paired for breeding, filling wooded waterways with flashes of color from the males’ iridescent markings while females blend in to safely raise their young. Once nearly wiped out by overhunting and habitat loss, the species has made a strong comeback thanks to conservation efforts and nesting box programs, making it something of a quiet Michigan success story – and a fitting symbol of the state’s rich wetland ecosystem.
A bill that ruffled some feathers.
But while the wood duck’s comeback story makes it an easy choice for a state symbol, not everyone at the Capitol was ready to vote in support. Michigan House Rep. Josh Schriver (R-Oxford) said about the legislation, “I voted NO on House Bill 4044, which would designate the wood duck as Michigan’s official state duck. While symbolic legislation may seem harmless, every bill that reaches the Governor’s desk costs taxpayers approximately $250,000 in staff time, legal review, and legislative processing. Michigan already has a state bird. The bill passed the House 92–17, but I opposed it because this bill is just another distraction from the real work that needs to be done. Our time in Lansing should be spent addressing the priorities that matter most to our families and our communities.”
Still, in a state where politics can feel like a constant food fight, there’s something to be said for a rare, low-stakes win and bipartisan camaraderie. The wood duck isn’t just a pretty face – it’s a conservation comeback story rooted in Michigan’s own wetlands and wildlife heritage. Not every bill has to be a battle. Sometimes, it’s okay to let one glide through.
