Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea)
Species
Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on August 1st 2017.
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on August 1st 2017.
(1/800th sec at f13. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea). Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on August 28th 2017.
Taken at Farmoor, Oxon., on August 28th 2017.
(1/320th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)
Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea). Taken at Los Molinos, Fuerteventura on March 12th 2018.
Taken at Los Molinos, Fuerteventura on March 12th 2018.
(1/800th sec at f11. Click image for larger version. © David Hastings)

Description

L: 58 - 70 cm; WS: 110 - 135 cm

The Ruddy Shelduck is slightly larger than the Shelduck. It has a bright orange-brown body and a paler cinnamon-buff head. The male has a black neck ring in summer.

It is a migratory bird, wintering in the Indian subcontinent and breeding in southeastern Europe and central Asia. It is often kept in wildfowl collections in the UK, from which escapes occur. There are occasional influxes of wild birds.

It breeds in a variety of inland habitats: at shores of lakes or saltmarshes, along rivers, in hills, often far from water.

It is often seen flying at considerable altitude.

The IUCN regards this species as being of Least Concern, although it is declining in Europe.

Sightings

09-Aug-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)
26-Jul-2022 : Otmoor, Oxon (1)

15-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
13-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
12-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands (100+)
10-Mar-2018 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands (2)

28-Aug-2017 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
20-Aug-2017 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)
01-Aug-2017 : Farmoor Reservoir, Oxon (1)

05-Mar-2009 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
04-Mar-2009 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands
03-Mar-2009 : Fuerteventura, Canary Islands