Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferruginea (Pallas, 1764)
UD
RUDSH
1710
Family: Anseriformes > Anatidae
In some Buddhist countries the Ruddy Shelduck is protected because its colour is said to resemble that of a monk's robes. During migration, Ruddy Shelduck have been recorded flying at heights of up to 6,800 m.
Most records are undoubtedly of escapees from collections, and the situation is complicated by the growth of feral populations in Germany that migrate to The Netherlands to moult; wild individuals from their breeding grounds in SE Europe and central Asia may have occurred, the challenge is in proving it
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Ruddy Shelduck
BTO RECORDS
Identification
Ruddy Shelduck identification is often straightforward.
SONGS AND CALLS
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Ruddy Shelduck, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Call
Develop your bird ID skills with our training courses
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Browse training coursesStatus and Trends
Population size and trends and patterns of distribution based on BTO surveys and atlases with data collected by BTO volunteers.
CONSERVATION STATUS
This species can be found on the following statutory and conservation listings and schedules.
| Species of European Conservation Concern | Least Concern |
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
POPULATION SIZE
We have no population estimates for this scarce species.
| BOU Category | B D |
|
First Record
|
Sutherland, 1892 |
DISTRIBUTION
There are historical records that may relate to genuine vagrants from breeding grounds in southeast Europe, north Africa and Central Asia, but it is thought that most birds recorded nowadays are escapes from wildfowl collections. Winter records mainly in southern and central England. There is a small feral breeding population the southern half of Britain.
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Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011.
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Occupied 10-km squares in UK
| No. occupied in breeding season | 16 |
| % occupied in breeding season | 0.5 |
| No. occupied in winter | 80 |
| % occupied in winter | 2.6 |
European Distribution Map
DISTRIBUTION CHANGE
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Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution Change 1968–72 to 2008–11.
More from the Atlas Mapstore. -
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution Change 1981–84 to 2007–11
More from the Atlas Mapstore.
| % change in range in winter (1981–84 to 2007–11) | +630% |
SEASONALITY
Sporadic records of Ruddy Shelducks throughout the year are likely to be escaped and naturalised individuals possibly supplemented by immigrants from naturalised and wild populations on the continent.
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 Shelduck, including statistics on nesting, eggs and lifespan based on BTO ringing and nest recording data.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
Sample sizes are too small to report Productivity and Nesting statistics for this species.
BIOMETRICS
Sample sizes are too small to report Biometrics for this species.
Feather measurements and photos on featherbase
CODES & CLASSIFICATION
|
Field Codes
|
2-letter: UD | 5-letter code: RUDSH | Euring: 1710 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Links to more studies from ConservationEvidence.com
- Post-release survival of oiled, cleaned seabirds in North America
- Use of nest boxes by goldeneyes in eastern North America
- Nest-site selection in relation to habitat edge: experiments in the common goldeneye
Read more studies about Ruddy Shelduck on Conservation Evidence >
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