Ruddy Duck Photo Gallery

Breeding male

Small, compact duck with a stout, scoop-shaped bill, and a long, stiff tail that is often held up. Breeding males have a blue bill and chestnut bodies.

Female/immature male

Females and immatures are brownish overall, with a black bill, dark cap, and indistinct line across the cheek.

Breeding male

Nonbreeding male

Small, compact duck with a big head and scoop-shaped bill. Nonbreeding males have a dark cap and solid white cheek.

Female/immature male

This duck is part of a small group of waterfowl known as "stiff tails" due to their long, pointed tails, which are often held straight up.

Nonbreeding male

Small and compact diving duck that sits relatively low in the water. Sometimes it cocks its tail up above the water and other times lays it flat on the water's surface.

Breeding male

Small, compact duck. Breeding males have a blue bill and a white cheek patch.

Female/immature male

Small, compact ducks with a stout, scoop-shaped bill. Females have a whitish cheek with a black stripe across it.

Nonbreeding male

Small, compact ducks with a stout, scoop-shaped bill, and a long, stiff tail often held up. Nonbreeding males have a dark cap and a white cheek.

Breeding male

Males stick their tails straight up while striking their bills against their inflated necks, creating bubbles in the water during courtship displays.

Female and chick

Ducklings are well developed and receive minimal care from the female (and none from the male).

Flock

Compact shape, raised tail, and white cheek distinctive at a distance. Often congregates in groups on lakes during the winter.

Habitat

Breeds in wetlands and reservoirs with dense emergent vegetation.