Ruddy Duck ⁵

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 Jamaica. Ruddy ducks were imported into the UK in 1948 by conservationist Sir Peter Scott. As a result of escapes from wildfowl collections in the late 1950s, they became established in Great Britain, from where they spread into Europe. By the year 2000, the population had increased to around 6,000 individuals. This duck's aggressive courting behavior and willingness to interbreed with the endangered native white-headed duck (Oxyura leucocephala), of southern Europe, caused concern amongst Spanish conservationists.

Érismature rousse ⁶

Schwarzkopfruderente ⁶

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Erin and Lance Willett, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), http://www.flickr.com/photos/60477398@N00/2406154101
2. (c) keith ellwood, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/76377775@N05/6961573163/
3. (c) Don Faulkner, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ruddy_Duck_(female)_(16287074459).jpg
4. (c) Dendroica cerulea, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/dendroica/16119764767/
5. Adapted by Paul Braun from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruddy_duck
6. (c) Paul Braun, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• taxon page
• Animal Diversity Web
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