“Me me!” - quacked the Ruddy Duck.
If that cute little tail sticking up in the air doesn’t get you, the blue bill will! What a beauty this little bird is.
At just 15 inches with a wingspan of 18.5 inches, the Ruddy Duck is recorded as a regular visitor to Anguilla during winter. In the past, I have seen chicks born on Anguilla, making it a breeding visitor.
Since Hurricane Irma in 2017, their numbers have dropped off. I have not recorded this species since I found one bird in 2021. Its absence has been a cause of great concern for me.
While these Ruddy Ducks enjoy the status of “Least Concern” in the USA, it is regularly culled in Europe as it is considered invasive.
Imagine my excitement when I found a group this week during the Caribbean Waterbird Census (more details coming soon).
The male in breeding plumage seen above stands out from the group. He keeps a close eye on the females who lack the pizzaz plumage.
It will be interesting to see if breeding occurs this season.
I will keep you posted as I monitor this group for any activity.
Take a Walk on the Wild Side! You never know what wonders of nature you may encounter.
My husband and I saw two male Ruddy Ducks at East End Pond in early December. The blue bills were unmistakable.
I love this duck! It is soooo cute. Thank you for sharing this fun article.