Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)

Order: Anseriformes | Family: Anatidae  | IUCN Status: Least Concern

ruddy_duck
Age: Adult | Sex: Male | Loc. Huancayo 

ruddy_duck
Age: Adult | Sex: Female | Loc. Ventanilla, Lima

ruddy_duck
Age: Adult | Sex: Male | Loc. Ventanilla, Lima

ruddy_duck
Age: Adult & Chicks | Sex: Female & Chicks | Loc. Lake Titicaca

Identification & Behavior: ~45 cm (18 in). The male Ruddy Duck is all rich chestnut with a black head, black tail, and a distinctive blue bill. The female has a dusky-brown plumage with a brown face and dark bill. Both sexes have a stiff tail, which is often kept upwards. It favors open water on Andean lakes and lagoons. It is similar to the closely related Masked Duck, but are distinguished by the head plumage pattern and ranging at very different elevations.

Status: The Ruddy Duck is common but seems to occur in low numbers in the high Andes at elevations ranging from 2800 to 4500 m. Also common in coastal wetlands in the central and south portions of Peru.

Name in Spanish: Pato Rana.

Sub-species: Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis ferruginea), Eyton, 1838.

Meaning of Name: Oxyura: Gr. Oxus= with tip or pointed, and oura= tail. ferruginea: L. ferruginea= color of rust, rust. A duck with a pointy tail and rusty color.

See more of the Family Anatidae   peru aves

Distribution Map
rudy duckVoice

References:

    • Species range based on: Schulenberg, T. S., D. F. Stotz, and L. Rico. 2006. Distribution maps of the birds of Peru, version 1.0. Environment, Culture & Conservation (ECCo). The Field Museum.  http://fm2.fieldmuseum.org/uw_test/birdsofperu on 11/09/2014.