Ruddy duck

Ruddy duck photographed in Manitoba

The ruddy duck is a small, stiff-tailed diving duck, and the breeding drake is a sight to see, with a rich rusty body, a bright blue bill, a black cap, and a white cheek. He holds the tail up at a sharp angle, which makes him look as though he has a permanent attitude.

In courtship, the drake slaps his bill against his chest, producing a stream of bubbles in the water, and gives a series of popping calls. Ruddy ducks nest on prairie marshes, and the female lays unusually large eggs for her size. In Manitoba they are seen in spring, summer, and fall on marshes with plenty of cattails, and they migrate to the southern United States in winter.

The bright blue bill and cocked tail of a male ruddy duck make it one of the most comical ducks I know.

Curious about the ruddy duck and its habitat? Learn more on its page at All About Birds.

Field notes in photographs

  • Ruddy duck, Manitoba
  • Female ruddy duck swimming among reeds, with a dark stripe across her pale cheek, Manitoba
  • Male ruddy duck in breeding plumage with a chestnut body, white cheek, and bright blue bill, Manitoba
  • Female ruddy duck swimming, Manitoba

Ruddy duck Manitoba sightings

Where and when you can find the ruddy duck in Manitoba depends on the season and the habitat. You can see more species in the Manitoba birds section.

Map of Manitoba showing where the ruddy duck nests, with major cities and lakes
Where to look for the ruddy duck in Manitoba through the seasons: nesting in the Prairies (gold). Habitat regions: National Ecological Framework for Canada. Boundaries: Statistics Canada. Lakes: Natural Earth.

Back to Manitoba bird photography, or see the portfolio.

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