My name is Christian Larson and I am currently a freshman at the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse. My major is currently Biology, with an emphasis in Biomedical Sciences, and I have also decided to pursue a minor in Chemistry. This project is associated with a course requirement for Organismal Biology, a course that covers essentially all life on earth.

For my species I chose the wood duck (Aix sponsa) because when I was younger I was involved in a classroom-based research study surrounding the bird and how artificial nest boxes help maintain the population. It provided me with an opportunity to be outdoors and learn about environmental science simultaneously!

Having now begun college, I was eager to learn more about the bird and apply what I have learned since the study to see what other factors are at play in the bird’s life. I must admit though, these birds are pretty awesome to look at. I was reading somewhere, and they were described as being one of the most beautiful birds in the world. I found this striking because generally, and unfortunately, we do not usually associate beauty with the marsh. The fact that these birds thrive in this area in particular is significant, and certainly worthy of its own web site.

For a list of my sources and a few external links, click here.

Questions or comments? Email me at larson.chri@students.uwlax.edu