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.
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.
Typical Adult is about 39cm (15in).
They dive and swim underwater for molluscs, crustations, invertebrates, aquatic insects, and aquatic plants.
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.
Mid- April to July.
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
Click the button above to add a pair of Argentine Ruddy Ducks to 'My Enquiries' which is available at the top of each page, and similar to a 'basket' on an ecommerce website!
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
