Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Ducks are small, stout freshwater diving ducks with broad, short wings and narrow, stiff tails. The male Ruddy Duck has a bright chestnut body, black crown, white cheeks and blue bill. They swim buoyantly, often with the tail cocked up and they can also gradually submerge without diving. They hardly ever leave the water as they are very ungainly on land.

Ruddy Ducks were brought to the UK from North America to enhance captive wildfowl collections. Subsequent escape and successful establishment outside of the UK has resulted in a European conservation problem due to them hybridising with the rare White-headed Duck.

Ruddy Ducks breed in lowland wetlands and open fresh water such as reservoirs, gravel pits and lakes with weedy fringes. In winter, they concentrate in flocks on large open waters, particularly reservoirs.

Date: 30/04/05

Location: Wat Tyler CP, Pitsea, Essex