Ruddy Shelduk

Ruddy Shelduck Latest News

For over 20 years, residents of Mudh Village in the eastern part of Ladakh have been protecting the ruddy shelduck that visits their mountains to breed.

About Ruddy Shelduck

• It is a migratory bird species belonging to the duck family called Anatidae.
• Scientific Name: Tadorna ferruginea
• In India it is known as the Brahminy duck.

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Ruddy Shelduck Habitat and Distribution

• It is known to breed in Central Asia and parts of Europe and spends the winter months in South Asia, including the Himalayan region.
• Ruddy Shelducks typically arrive in the Himalayan region between October and November and leave by March or April.
• It favors inland water bodies such as lakes, reservoirs, and rivers. 
• It is often found in open areas and is less common in forested regions. It can also be found in brackish waters and saline lagoons.

Ruddy Shelduck Features

• It is a type of large duck. It measures 58 to 70 cm in length and boasts a wingspan of 110 to 135 cm. 
• Its plumage is primarily orange-brown, with a paler head and starkly contrasting black tail and flight feathers. 
• The white wing coverts are a distinctive feature, particularly noticeable in flight.
• Both sexes exhibit variability in color intensity and can fade with feather aging. 
• The bill is black, and the legs are a dark grey shade.

Ruddy Shelduck Conservation Status

It is classified as ‘Least Concern‘ under the IUCN Red List.

Source: DTE