Oxyura jamaicensis
Length: 13-16 Weight: 0.5-2 lbs
Identification:
Male is reddish brown overall with white cheek, black cap, and blue bill. Female has white cheek and dark cap. Male and female have stiff tail, often held at an upward angle.
Distribution:
Resident in southwestern US and Mexico. Summer range extends through central US into Canada. Winter range extends along Gulf and Atlantic Coasts.
Cool Facts:
Ruddy Ducks lay the largest eggs relative to their body size of any duck.
Ruddy Ducks are native to the Americas. An expanding population in Europe originated from escaped captive ducks in 1952.
Oxyura is derived from the Greek words meaning “sharp tail.”
Make your own bird cookies!
References:
Bird on the Move 