Ruddy Duck

Oxyura jamaicensisOrder: ANSERIFORMESFamily: Geese and Ducks (Anatidae)

Breeding Location:

Seashore, rocky or sandy, Marshes, freshwater, Swamps



Breeding Type:

Monogamous



Breeding Population:

Fairly common to common



Egg Color:

Creamy white, nest stained



Number of Eggs:

5 - 17



Incubation Days:

23 - 26



Egg Incubator:

Female



Nest Material:

Grasses, reeds, and cattails., Lined with down.



Migration:

Migratory



Splitbar

Overview

Ruddy Duck: Small duck, bright red-brown body; black cap extends below the eyes and onto the nape, contrasting sharply with white face; heavy bill is blue. Tail is black, often held erect when swimming. Some males show all black head, lacking white cheek patches. Direct flight on rapid wing beats.

Range and Habitat

Ruddy Duck: Breeds from British Columbia, Mackenzie, and Quebec south to California, southern New Mexico, and southern Texas, with occasional breeding farther east. Spends winters on coasts north to British Columbia and Massachusetts and as far inland as Missouri. Preferred breeding habitats include freshwater marshes, marshy lakes, and ponds. Found in marshes and shallow coastal bays during winter.

Breeding and Nesting

Ruddy Duck: Five to seventeen creamy white eggs, nest stained, are laid in a floating nest made of dry stems lined with down and concealed in reeds or bulrushes. Incubation ranges from 23 to 26 days and is carried out by the female.

Foraging and Feeding

Ruddy Duck: Feeds on pondweeds, wild celery, algae, seeds, aquatic insects, shellfish, and crustaceans; forages on the water surface and by diving.

Readily Eats

Vocalization

Ruddy Duck: Courting male produces ticking and clapping sounds by pressing its bill against its breast.

Similar Species

Ruddy Duck: Masked Duck lacks white cheeks; female has two dark lines across face. Cinnamon Teal lacks stiff tail and white cheeks.

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Family Diving Ducks (Anatidae)_blue
Species Oxyura jamaicensis
Length14 - 16 Inches
Wingspan22.5 Inches

Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Duck: Small duck, bright red-brown body; black cap extends below the eyes and onto the nape, contrasting sharply with white face; heavy bill is blue. Tail is black, often held erect when swimming. Some males show all black head, lacking white cheek patches. Direct flight on rapid wing beats.

● Song: Generally silent

● Foraging & Feeding: Ruddy Duck: Feeds on pondweeds, wild celery, algae, seeds, aquatic insects, shellfish, and crustaceans; forages on the water surface and by diving.

● Breeding & nesting: Ruddy Duck: Five to seventeen creamy white eggs, nest stained, are laid in a floating nest made of dry stems lined with down and concealed in reeds or bulrushes. Incubation ranges from 23 to 26 days and is carried out by the female.

● Similar species: Ruddy Duck: Masked Duck lacks white cheeks; female has two dark lines across face. Cinnamon Teal lacks stiff tail and white cheeks.

Flight Pattern

Direct flight with rapid wing beats.
Ruddy Duck Body Illustration
● Range & Habitat: Ruddy Duck: Breeds from British Columbia, Mackenzie, and Quebec south to California, southern New Mexico, and southern Texas, with occasional breeding farther east. Spends winters on coasts north to British Columbia and Massachusetts and as far inland as Missouri. Preferred breeding habitats include freshwater marshes, marshy lakes, and ponds. Found in marshes and shallow coastal bays during winter.
BreedingMonogamous
PopulationFairly common to common
MigrationMigratory
Weight20.8 Ounces