The ruddy duck is a freshwater diver that nests in tall weeds and grasses near the water. A flattened bill helps it strain muddy lake bottoms for seeds and insect larvae. The male displays to defend his nesting territory by holding up its long, stiff tail and drumming its beak against its chest to create bubbles.
Ruddy Duck
Oxyura jamaicensis
Fact File
Where to see them: Wings of the World
Length: 1.2 to 1.4 ft
Weight: Up to 1.9 lbs
Habitat: Lakes and ponds
Diet: Aquatic plants and invertebrates
