# Ruddy Duck (*Oxyura jamaicensis*) The Ruddy Duck is a small, colorful bird known for its bright blue bill and rusty-red body. Male Ruddy Ducks are especially striking during mating season when they show off their beautiful colors. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Snaps:** 16 - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Ruddy Duck](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/065_-_RUDDY_DUCK_%2811-27-07%29_fem%252C_oso_flaco%252C_sloco%252C_ca_oso_%281%29_%288718083235%29.jpg&width=800) Photo: ALAN SCHMIERER, CC0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:065_-_RUDDY_DUCK_%2811-27-07%29_fem%252C_oso_flaco%252C_sloco%252C_ca_oso_%281%29_%288718083235%29.jpg) ## Appearance The Ruddy Duck is a small, stout duck with a distinctive stiff tail often held upright. Breeding males have a bright blue bill and rusty-red body, while females are duller brown with a dark bill stripe and paler cheek. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Anseriformes - **Family:** Anatidae - **Genus:** Oxyura ## Interesting facts - A male Ruddy Duck’s bill turns a super bright sky blue during mating season! - Ruddy Duck eggs are surprisingly huge, making them one of the biggest duck eggs! - Ruddy Ducks are very clumsy on land but are amazing underwater swimmers! - These ducks can hold their stiff tail feathers straight up in the air! ## Special abilities - **Underwater Steering:** Ruddy Duck has a stiff, fan-like tail that helps them steer expertly underwater and when performing unique courtship displays. - **Slow-Mo Heart:** Ruddy Duck can slow its heart rate and oxygen use, allowing them to stay underwater for surprisingly long periods. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 35-43 cm - **Wingspan:** 53-62 cm - **Weight:** 0.42-0.85 kg - **Lifespan:** 5-13 years - **Speed:** 60 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 6-10 - **Incubation:** 23-26 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding They mostly eat tiny aquatic insects and plants found by diving deep underwater. - **Age differences:** Young chicks eat more insects, while adults consume more plant material. - **Primary Foods:** aquatic insects, crustaceans, plant seeds, algae, roots - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Bald Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bald-eagle) (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*) — Bald Eagles are aerial predators that hunt adult Ruddy Ducks. - **Eaten by:** [Great Horned Owl](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-horned-owl) (*Bubo virginianus*) — Great Horned Owls can snatch ducks from the water at night. - **Parasitizes:** Mallard (*Anas platyrhynchos*) — Ruddy Ducks sometimes lay their eggs in the nests of other ducks. - **Eats:** blood midge (*Chironomus plumosus*) — Ruddy Ducks dive for midge larvae and other tiny aquatic insects. ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors. - [Filter Feeder](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/filter-feeder): Filter feeders obtain nutrients by straining suspended food particles and small organisms from water. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to touch them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Ruddy Duck? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Ruddy Duck? 35-43 cm ### What is Ruddy Duck's wingspan? 53-62 cm ### How much does Ruddy Duck weigh? 0.42-0.85 kg ### How long does Ruddy Duck live? 5-13 years ### How fast can Ruddy Duck move? 60 km/h ### What does Ruddy Duck eat? They mostly eat tiny aquatic insects and plants found by diving deep underwater. ### Where is Ruddy Duck usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/bolsa-chica-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Durso Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/durso-park) — Illinois, US · Park - [Eden Landing Ecological Reserve](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/eden-landing-ecological-reserve) — California, US · Nature Reserve - [Jackson Lake Lodge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jackson-lake-lodge) — Wyoming, US · Historic Site - [Lake Missoula](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/lake-missoula) — Montana, US · Natural Landmark - [Loop Retail Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/loop-retail-historic-district) — Illinois, US · Historic District [View all places to see Ruddy Duck](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/ruddy-duck) ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Ruddy Duck: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ruddy-duck)