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Argentine Ruddy Duck Ducks

The Ruddy Duck is a small stiff-tail duck. It was brought to the UK from North America in the 1940s to enhance wildfowl collections but escapees quickly established themselves in Great Britain and spread widely across Europe. Ruddy Ducks will interbreed with the endangered White-headed Duck of southern Europe which has caused concern and resulted in a cull of this duck. There are three recognised sub-species which vary slightly in appearance:- the North American Ruddy Duck (Oxyura Jamaicensis Jamaicensis), the Columbian Ruddy Duck (Oxyura Jamaicensis Andina), and the Peruvian or Andean Ruddy Duck (Oxyura Jamaicensis Ferruginea).

The male Ruddy Duck has a black cap which extends below the eye, black nape, white chin and cheeks, deep-chestnut brown upperparts, upper-breast, and flanks, long dark-brown tail (which is often erect), and silver-white underparts mottled and barred with brown. The beak is bluish, and legs and feet are bluish-grey.

The female has a grey-brown body, with a dark cap, buff-white cheeks with dark brown cheek stripe, the legs, feet, and beak are grey.

Eclipse

The male in eclipse plumage is very similar to the female although the head retains a distinctive dark cap and lighter face. The beak loses its light blue colour and turns grey during the non-breeding season.

Size

Typical Adult is about 39cm (15in).

Food

They dive and swim underwater for molluscs, crustations, invertebrates, aquatic insects, and aquatic plants.

Habitat/Range

Wetlands, marshy lakes, swamps, and ponds in Canada, the USA, West Indies, and the Andes in South America. Winters in southern USA and Mexico. Also well established in the UK and widespread in Europe as a result of escapees from wildfowl collections.

Breeding

Mid- April to July.

Eggs

6 to 10 (dull white colour).


River Cottage's collection of Ducks changes regularly. Please visit us regularly to keep up-to-date with our flock

 

 

£240 per pair

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Note: All birds are subject to availability and we reserve the right to alter prices as the market and our costs dictate. Viewing is strictly by appointment. Please contact us for futher details