Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis (JF Gmelin, 1789)
RY
RUDDU
2250
Family: Anseriformes > Anatidae
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.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Ruddy Duck
86k records
BTO RECORDS
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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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.
| IUCN Red List of Threatened Species (global) |
Least Concern 
|
| Schedule 1 license required (to disturb) | No |
| Birds Directive Annex 1 | No |
|
Listed on the Annexes of
|
WCA(IX) |
POPULATION SIZE
| UK (breeding) | 2 Pairs (2017) |
| UK (winter) | 23 (2016-16) |
| BOU Category | C1 |
|
First Record
|
Gloucester, 1949 |
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
-
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 | 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.
-
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 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.
PRODUCTIVITY & NESTING
|
Number of Broods
|
1 |
|
Egg Size
|
62×46 mm Weight = 73 g (of which 10% is shell) |
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 |
For information in another language (where available) click on a linked name
Welsh: Hwyaden Goch
Catalan: malvasia de Jamaica
Czech: kachnice kaštanová
Danish: Amerikansk Skarveand
Dutch: Rosse Stekelstaart
Estonian: valgepõsk-händpart
Finnish: kuparisorsa
French: Érismature rousse
German: Schwarzkopf-Ruderente
Hungarian: halcsontfarkú réce
Icelandic: Hrókönd
Irish: Lacha Rua
Italian: Gobbo della Giamaica
Latvian: Jamaikas zilknabis
Lithuanian: baltaskruoste staciauodege
Norwegian: Stivhaleand
Polish: sterniczka jamajska
Portuguese: pato-rabo-alçado-americano
Slovak: potápnica bielolíca
Slovenian: belolicna trdorepka
Spanish: Malvasía canela
Swedish: amerikansk kopparand
Links to more information from ConservationEvidence.com
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