Ruddy Duck

I've previously posted on the ruddy duck on March 4, 2021 and March 16, 2022. I really like them because they are diving ducks and move around a lot, and the breeding plumage is spectacular. I've not been particularly successful in getting photos of breeding plumage, but had my best day, yet, on Saturday at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. I've also come to love the Birds of the World subscription service. It is by the same organization that does All About Birds, which focuses on birds of North America, located at Cornell University. However, Birds of the World covers birds word wide. They provide wonderful illustrations as well as range maps. Wikipedia also often has range maps, but not always, and they often are not as good. Here are illustrations of the ruddy duck. 

Ruddy duck male in breeding plumage illustration from Birds of the World. 

Breeding male flying illustration from Birds of the World. 

Female illustration from Birds of the World. 

Female flying illustration from Birds of the World. 

Here is the range map. 

The ruddy duck on the coast of Southern California is found year-round. 

Following are my photos from Bolsa Chica, near Huntington Beach, California, taken Saturday, April 19, 2025. I think some of the photos do not do justice to the rich chestnut color because of the sunlight.