Psilos Wildfowl Photography |
Ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) |
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| The ruddy duck is a small diving duck that is a member of the stifftail family. It is a non native bird as it was introduced into wildfowl collections from North America. However subsequant escapes saw the bird successfully integrate itself into the UK habitat and establish breeding populations. Later on populations crossed the channel and bred successfully on the continent leading to the problem of them hybridising with their close relative the White headed duck. They breed on lowland reservoirs, gravel pits and lakes where there is plenty of peripheral vegetation. Its diet consists of aquatic insect larvae and plant seeds. |
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The bird in the photos above is the male
in his breeding plumage. The bird in the photo below is the male in
eclipse (non breeding) plumage. Some may confuse this with the female
but the white cheeks and black cap are the key to identifying the male
here. These are absent in the female. |
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The photo below shows the female |
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When displaying the male raises his tail
and does a sort of quivering dance in the water. Two horn like features
created by feathers also appears on the top of the head. |
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The photo below was taken late May. It
shows two males chasing a female. The female however managed to out
run them! |
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The female despite running from two males
here can be quite aggressive and will quite often turn tables (as this
female did later) and chase away any males that trouble her. |
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During July/August juveniles can be seen.
Females can lay up to 8 eggs at one time. The ducklings below are about
3 weeks old. |
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The photo below shows a male starting to
lose his breeding plumage. |
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Photos copyright © Annette Cutts 2007 |
