The ruddy shelduck lives in the steppes and in the semi-desert regions of Asia and North Africa. Since the 1960s, this popular ornamental bird has been increasingly observed in nature; in all likelihood they are re-wild specimens escaped from captivity. In recent years, the ruddy shelduck is increasing and expanding its range, creating problems for indigenous water birds: during the reproductive period the species is in fact very aggressive and drives all the other ducks from its territory!
Everything you need to know about the ruddy shelduck:
The ruddy shelduck or Tadorna ferruginea (also known in India as Brahminy Duck) is a bird of the Anatidae family native to Eurasia and Africa. There are different populations – of which at least three are well defined – in which the color of the head varies making it difficult to identify the sex. It is widespread in a very large area ranging from the eastern parts of Europe to almost all of Asia, up to some north-western and eastern regions of Africa.
It is migratory in some areas, erratic in others and, in rare but increasingly frequent cases, sedentary. It easily adapts to any area rich in water, preferably freshwater, but sheltered bays where the sea is calm are not neglected either. The couple has a very close bond during the reproductive period and becomes extremely jealous of their territory, while the rest of the years it gathers in flocks.
On land it walks and run easily, grazing just like the other ducks. When swimming it keeps the neck high and straight, while its flight it’s steady and rapid, although quite heavy. It prefers to reach the grazing fields during the night and it often looks for food on land rather than on water.
Belonging to the Anseriformes’ order, its entire scientific name derives from Latin; in fact its genus’ name, “Tadorna” means “spotted water bird”, this refers to the well separated and different color patterns that are often a feature on the liveries of a lot of species belonging to this same genus, obviously this doesn’t apply to the ruddy shelduck which, instead, has a single predominant rusty-orange color, hence the species’ name, “ferruginea”, which in Latin means rusty, ferruginous.
They have particularly loud call, easy to be heard even from big distances. Almost like a goose, the males’ call sounds quite like a honk while females’ make a way louder “Ka-ah-ah” type of call. They fare pretty well in captivity, but will definitely need a larger aviary than any other species of water based birds. The ruddy shelduck not only is a pretty looking bird with a beautiful plumage, but it’s also a very tough species, in fact they resist to extremely cold temperatures and rigid climates.
- Scientific name: Tadorna ferruginea.
- Weight: 900 – 1500 g.
- Length: 61 – 67 cm.
- Wingspan: 121 – 145 cm.
- Age: Up to 13 years in the wild.
- Diet: Seeds, plants and insects.
- Habitat: Agricultural areas, urban areas, lakes wetlands and waterways.
- Threats: Its major threats are coming from hunting (especially in south eastern Europe), but also from reduction of wetlands, urban development and pollution.
1. Aspect
The main characteristics of the ruddy shelduck are given by the slender forms, in a certain sense similar to those of the geese, by the wings of limited length and also by the color almost equal in the two sexes. Its length is around 60 cm; the wingspan reaches over one meter, while the tail is 18 cm and the wing about 40 cm. It has a plumage generally colored in a bright red-rust, the neck yellow-rust, the coloration of the cheek is white-yellow and a thin black-green collar, visible only during the reproductive season, goes around the lower part of the neck; the upper coverts of the tail and the flight feathers are of a shiny black tone. Its eyes are light brown with a black beak and grey feet.
2. Distribution
The ruddy shelduck it’s a bird that nests in north-western Africa and Ethiopia, south-eastern Europe, Asia Minor and central-western Asia. While the populations of central-western Asia are mostly migratory and spend their winters in southern Asia, the populations of the western Paleoarctic region are mostly sedentary or moving only sporadically. It’s interesting to note that the ruddy shelduck it’s actually one of the less aquatic ducks around, and it can often be found even quite far away from wet areas. Its typical habitat consists of arid and sen-arid areas, it nests in swamps and lakes, it can often be observed also in coastal wetlands, such as lagoons and rivers’ estuaries.
3. Diet
Its favorite food consists of small invertebrates, snails and small fish that it finds by rivers’ estuaries, on the muddy banks of river and ponds and by creeks. But it also loves buds, seeds and fruits; and sometimes it even roams agricultural fields, looking for the cereals it loves.
4. Breeding
Like we said before, during the reproductive period, couples tend to create very strong bonds, becoming incredibly jealous of their territory. The nest is quite simple, made only with some weeds and feathers, usually placed in tree holes, underground holes, in between rocks and sometimes also abandoned man made structures. During one year it only perform one brood and this takes place between mid-March and early May. Between 8 and 12 eggs are laid and will be incubated, only by the female, for about 27-29 days. The chicks are quite precocious and will be able to leave the nest shortly after hatching, but the parents will keep looking after them for a while.
5. Conservation
The ruddy shelduck, has an estimated population of about 170.000-220.000 is classified as “Least Concern” in the IUCN RedList and in Europe is considered to be in a positive conservation state. However, actions should be taken towards preserving the areas of central Asia and Turkey that are so important for the ruddy shelduck’s habitat and distribution, especially avoiding excessive cattle grazing and the total drainage of the basins.
Federico Fiorillo is an Italian nature guide and content writer based in the magnificent Val de Bagnes, Switzerland. He’s an avid hiker and snowboarder and he travels to the great wilderness areas of the world to see the wildlife and birds he’s passionate about.
In 2008 and 2011 he joined two Brazilian wildlife field trips in Bahia and decided that observing birds in their habitat was going to be one of his driving passions. He completed a birdwatching course with EBN Italia in 2013, and then in 2014 and 2015 he travelled to South East Asia, Australia and the United States where he joined a photographic workshop at the Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge in Utah.
From 2016 to 2018 he lives in New Zealand, where he collaborates in environmental projects at the Otorohanga Kiwi House, which since 1971 protects kiwi and other New Zealand native birds, among the projects he worked hands on the most rewarding was the one aiming to release Brown Kiwis into the wild.
In 2017, he completes a backcountry survival course obtaining the skillsets needed to thrive in-stead of just survive in the face of adversity in the wilderness. In 2017 he also joins a NZ Bird Photography Tour in Ulva Island and at the Royal Albatross Center of the Otago Peninsula, home to the world’s only mainland Royal Albatross breeding colony.
After his travels across the South Pacific, following his experiences in 2018 he moves in the Swiss Alps where he’s now a nature guide leading tours in the alpine region between Switzerland, Italy and France. Leading nature walks and overnight hiking trips, teaching tourists and locals the secrets of the plants and animals living in this alpine region.
Inspired by an alternative lifestyle he believes in the importance of being in connection with the natural environment and feels the responsibility of interpreting the natural wealth of a site, educating and informing other of the different aspects of that particular area.
