Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
Visual Identification
Appearance
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.
Size
Length
35cm to 43cm
Wingspan
53cm to 62cm
Weight
450g to 850g
Habitat and Distribution
Habitats
Woodland
Garden
Wetland
Coastal
Urban
Farmland
Grassland
Desert
Tundra
Rainforest
Mountain
Savanna
Distribution
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.
Elevation Range
Up to 2,200 meters
Climate zones
Temperate, Subtropical
Distribution Map
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:
- Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
- Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
- This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations
We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:
- More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
- How birds move around during different seasons
Distribution by Region
Behaviour and Ecology
Bird Attributes
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Share your thoughtsBird Attributes Explained
Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.
Attribute Categories:
- Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
- Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
- Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
- Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
- Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Understanding the Ratings:
- 0-20: Very Low
- 21-40: Low
- 41-60: Average
- 61-80: High
- 81-100: Very High
Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Hover over the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Tap the icon next to each attribute for more information.
Agility
Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
The Ruddy Duck exhibits remarkable agility in water, being an excellent diver capable of submerging for up to 30 seconds. Their stiff tail acts as an efficient rudder underwater, enhancing manoeuvrability. However, their poor flying ability due to high wing-loading slightly reduces their overall agility score.
Strength
Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
While not particularly strong for their size, Ruddy Ducks possess enough strength to dive effectively and forage in muddy substrates. Their ability to use their bills for sifting through mud and their endurance in diving suggest moderate strength, but they're not known for exceptional physical power.
Adaptability
Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Ruddy Ducks demonstrate good adaptability, thriving in various freshwater habitats from marshes to large lakes. Their ability to adjust their diet seasonally and their success as an introduced species in Europe indicate considerable adaptability. However, their specific habitat requirements and specialised feeding method slightly limit this score.
Aggressiveness
Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
During breeding season, male Ruddy Ducks display moderate aggressiveness through their elaborate courtship behaviours, including bill-slapping and bubble-blowing displays. However, they're not known for exceptional territorial aggression or confrontational behaviour outside of breeding contexts, leading to a moderate aggression score.
Endurance
Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.
Ruddy Ducks show impressive endurance, particularly in their diving abilities. Their capacity to dive frequently for food, sometimes staying submerged for up to 30 seconds, indicates high endurance. Additionally, their ability to migrate and survive in various climates, from temperate to subtropical zones, further supports their strong endurance rating.
Diet
Ruddy Ducks primarily feed on aquatic invertebrates, especially midge larvae, which they obtain by diving and straining mud through their specialized bill.
They also consume small crustaceans, mollusks, and some aquatic plants. Their diet varies seasonally, with more plant matter eaten during winter.
Behaviour
Ruddy Ducks are excellent divers, often submerging for up to 30 seconds while foraging. They rarely walk on land and prefer to spend most of their time on water.
During courtship, males perform an elaborate display, slapping their bill against their chest to create bubbles while making a soft drumming sound.
Vocalisation
Ruddy Ducks are generally quiet, but males produce a distinctive sound during courtship. This vocalization is a low, burping 'bub-bub-bubber-bub' often accompanied by bill-slapping on their chest.
Females make a softer, squeaking call, particularly when disturbed or communicating with ducklings.
Nesting & Breeding
Ruddy Ducks form pairs in late spring, with breeding occurring from May to August. Males perform elaborate courtship displays, including bill-slapping and bubbling behaviors to attract females.
Females construct nests over water in dense vegetation, using surrounding plants and their own down. They typically lay 6-10 creamy white eggs, which are notably large for the bird's size.
Incubation lasts about 23-26 days and is carried out solely by the female. Ducklings are precocial and able to swim and dive shortly after hatching, but they remain with the female for several weeks before becoming independent.
Conservation and Status
Global Conservation Status
While globally listed as Least Concern, Ruddy Ducks face challenges in Europe where they're considered an invasive species.
Control programs in the UK and other European countries aim to protect the native White-headed Duck from hybridization. In North America, wetland conservation efforts benefit this species.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for their distinctive stiff, upright tail while swimming
- Observe their diving behavior, as they frequently submerge for food
- Listen for the male's unique bubbling display during breeding season
- In the UK, check reservoirs and gravel pits where they've become established
Additional Information
Quick Facts
Predators
Did You Know?
- Ruddy Ducks have the highest wing-loading of any duck, making them excellent divers but poor fliers.
- Their stiff tail feathers are used as a rudder underwater and as a prop when standing.
- The blue bill of breeding males is not feathered but consists of enlarged, modified skin.
- Ruddy Ducks are not native to the United Kingdom. They escaped captivity in the 1950s and quickly established themselves, eventually crossing to continental Europe and spreading to more than 20 other countries.
FAQs
Why do Ruddy Ducks have blue bills?
Only the male Ruddy Duck develops a bright blue bill, and then only during the breeding season. His colorful bill and plumage are a display of his fitness and are used to impress potential mates.
Why are they called Ruddy Ducks?
The Ruddy Duck’s common name is not particularly inclusive across the species. Ruddy means reddish, which is a good description of the male’s rusty breeding plumage.
Can you eat Ruddy Ducks?
Ruddy Ducks fly chiefly at night and dive rather than flush, making them unpopular targets among waterfowl hunters. However, they are certainly edible and were once quite popular for their meat.
References
- 1
website: BirdLife International. 2018. Oxyura jamaicensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22727750A132178041.
View source - 3 4
report, 2006: Wetlands International
- 2
website, 2022: Partners in Flight
View source
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