Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis (JF Gmelin, 1789)
RY
RUDDU
2250
Family: Anseriformes > Anatidae
![Ruddy Duck, Chris Knights Ruddy Duck, Chris Knights](https://www.bto.org/sites/default/files/birdfacts/00096_Ruddy%20Duck_Chris%20Knights.jpg)
Originally from North America, escapees from the WWTs collection at Slimbridge founded a population in southern England that has since been eradicated for conservation reasons.
The Ruddy Duck found a ready-made home on the West Midlands reservoirs, from where it then spread further afield. Individuals that reached Spain threatened the rare White-headed Duck because of interbreeding. This is the reason that action had to be taken, through a Ruddy Duck cull.
Identification
Ruddy Duck identification is usually straightforward.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Ruddy Duck, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Call
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Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
POPULATION CHANGE
UK winter population |
-100% decrease (1995/96 to 2020/21) ![]() |
DISTRIBUTION
Ruddy Ducks forned a small feral population in southwest England following a series of escapes from WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire in the late 1950s. Owing to hybridisation with endangered White-headed Ducks, a campaign to erradicate Ruddy Ducks from the UK was initiated in 2005
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
No. occupied in breeding season | 235 |
% occupied in breeding season | 7.8 |
No. occupied in winter | 321 |
% occupied in winter | 11 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
Ruddy Duck shows a major range contraction as the non-native population has been controlled.
Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK
% change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11) | +1136.8% |
% change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +26.7% |
SEASONALITY
Formerly a resident naturalised escapee ,the current pattern of occurrence for Ruddy Duck is likely to be less continuous owing to a program of eradication.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
RINGING RECOVERIES
View a summary of recoveries in the Online Ringing Report.
Biology
Lifecycle and body size information about Ruddy Duck, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
SURVIVAL & LONGEVITY
View number ringed each year in the Online Ringing Report
Maximum Age from Ringing ![]() |
10 years 8 months 20 days (set in 2004) ![]() |
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
Ring size ![]() |
F or G* |
Field Codes ![]() |
2-letter: RY | 5-letter code: RUDDU | Euring: 2250 |
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Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
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