Blue Bill - Ruddy Duck
by KJ Swan
Title
Blue Bill - Ruddy Duck
Artist
KJ Swan
Medium
Photograph
Description
If there's such a thing as loner waterfowl, it's the stiff-tailed, short-tempered Ruddy duck.
From the start, Ruddy ducks (Oxyura jamaicensis) show great independence. Ducklings are hatched well-developed, active, and able to feed themselves. Since it takes a lot of effort for the Ruddy duck to take flight, they often prefer to quietly remain lounging on a pond, lake or marsh.
Male Ruddy Ducks have blackish caps that contrast with bright white cheeks. In summer, they have rich chestnut bodies with pale blue bills. In winter, they are dull gray-brown above and paler below with dull gray bills. Females and first-year males are brownish, somewhat like winter males but with a blurry stripe across the pale cheek patch. In flight, Ruddy Ducks show solidly dark tops of the wings. Wild populations are found in Canada, the United States and Mexico.
Uploaded
December 27th, 2020
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