Ruddy Duck

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) is in the Ducks, Geese, and Swans family (Anatidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 45,339 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.

Seasonal pattern in the national data: winter visitor. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.

When to photograph Ruddy Duck: observations by month (U.S.)

About Ruddy Duck

The ruddy duck (Oxyura jamaicensis) is a duck from North America and one of the stiff-tailed ducks. The genus name is derived from Ancient Greek oxus, "sharp", and oura, "tail", and jamaicensis is "from Jamaica". The Andean duck was considered a subspecies. In fact, some taxonomists, including the American Ornithological Society, still consider it conspecific. Subspecies: jamaicensis - North America including West Indies. andina - central Colombia. ferruginea - southern Colombia south to Chile.From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.

Ruddy Duck by state

Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.

Related birds (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)

MallardAnas platyrhynchos

Canada GooseBranta canadensis

Wood DuckAix sponsa

Northern ShovelerSpatula clypeata

BuffleheadBucephala albeola

American WigeonMareca americana

Hooded MerganserLophodytes cucullatus

Ring-necked DuckAythya collaris

Photography tips

• Use a fast shutter (1/2000 s or faster) for birds in flight.
• Focus on the eye and shoot at the bird's eye level.
• Approach slowly and stop if the bird changes behavior; never bait or flush birds.
• Morning activity peaks in the first two hours after sunrise.

FAQ