Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
The Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) is a common ducks, swans, and geese found in 54 countries, weighing about 608 g. The ruddy duck is a species of duck, one of six extant species of stiff-tailed duck.
About the Ruddy Duck
The ruddy duck is a species of duck, one of six extant species of stiff-tailed duck. In the 1940s, the ruddy duck was introduced to the United Kingdom, where it established a population. Outside the Americas, the ruddy duck is considered a highly invasive species, prompting many countries to initiate culling projects to eradicate it from the native ecosystem.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
The ruddy duck is a small, compact duck with a stout, scoop-shaped bill, and a long, stiff tail which it holds cocked upward. It has a slightly peaked head and a fairly short, thick neck. The male ruddy duck has a blackish cap that contrasts with its bright white cheeks. In summer, it has a rich chestnut body with a bright blue bill. In winter, it is a dull gray-brown above and paler below with a dull gray bill. The female and first-year male are brownish, somewhat like the winter male but with a blurry stripe across the pale cheek patch. Voice: Both male and female ruddy ducks are not known to be very vocal most of the year, though they do become more vocal when courting and raising young. Males are known to produce short "aa-anh" calls and other noises in short bursts.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Portugal, Finland, Costa Rica, Peru, Chile, Morocco, South Africa, Cyprus.
When to see it
Best months: January, February, March, April, May, October, November, December, with peak activity in January. It is a variable species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a Ruddy Duck?
- The ruddy duck is a small, compact duck with a stout, scoop-shaped bill, and a long, stiff tail which it holds cocked upward. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a Ruddy Duck?
- The Ruddy Duck is a large sized bird weighing about 608 g.
- Where can you see a Ruddy Duck?
- The Ruddy Duck occurs in 54 countries, including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom and France.
- What birds look similar to a Ruddy Duck?
- The Ruddy Duck is most easily confused with the Blue-billed Duck, the White-headed Duck and the Lake Duck.
Learn the Ruddy Duck for real
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