Michigan Lawmakers Reach Bipartisan Agreement on Official State Duck

In a rare moment of legislative cooperation, Michigan lawmakers have designated the wood duck as the state's official duck, joining the state's apple blossom as flower, robin as bird, and painted turtle as reptile.

The bipartisan legislation, House Bill 4044, was introduced in January 2025 and moved through both chambers with strong support. 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. The bill now heads to the governor's desk for her signature.

A press release issued Thursday indicates the governor will sign the bill into law.

The bill's lead sponsor is State Rep. Alabas Farhat, a Democrat from Dearborn, who gained bipartisan co-sponsors along the way.

What is a wood duck?

The wood duck is one of North America's most striking waterfowl and 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, wood ducks 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.

Not everyone agreed

While the wood duck's comeback story makes it an easy choice for a state symbol, not every lawmaker was ready to vote in support.

Michigan House Rep. Josh Schriver, a Republican from Oxford, said about the legislation that he voted NO on House Bill 4044.

"I voted NO on House Bill 4044, which would designate the wood duck as Michigan's official state duck," Schriver said. "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.

Sources

• Michigan News Source — https://www.michigannewssource.com/2026/03/quack-politics-michigan-finally-gets-a-state-duck/