Oxyura jamaicensis
The Ruddy Duck is a compact, stiff-tailed diving duck with a distinctive profile.
Males in breeding plumage have a rich chestnut body, black cap, bright white cheeks, and a striking blue bill. Their fan-shaped tail is often held upright when swimming. Outside of the breeding season, males have much duller gray-brown plumage and a dark gray bill.
Females and non-breeding males are more subdued, with mottled brown plumage and a dark crown stripe. Both sexes have small, concave wings, thick, short necks and enormous webbed feed that is rarely seen out of the water. Juveniles resemble females but with less distinct markings.
Length
35cm to 43cm
Wingspan
53cm to 62cm
Weight
450g to 850g
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Ruddy Ducks inhabit freshwater marshes, ponds, and lakes with abundant emergent vegetation. They breed across western North America, from Alaska to Mexico, and have been introduced to Europe. In winter, they're found in coastal estuaries and large inland water bodies.
In the United States, they're common in the western states and along the Atlantic coast. The largest concentrations occur during the breeding season in South and North Dakota, Southwestern Manitoba, and neighboring states and provinces on either side of the USA/Canada border.
Ruddy Ducks are a controversial bird in the United Kingdom. They are very rare in the wild after a largely successful eradication program that began in 2005, and birdwatchers are encouraged to report sightings. They're also found in parts of mainland Europe and occasionally in New Zealand.
Up to 2,200 meters
Temperate, Subtropical
This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Ruddy Duck. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.
A few things to keep in mind:
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