Ruddy Duck
by Robert Bales
Title
Ruddy Duck
Artist
Robert Bales
Medium
Photograph - Photo
Description
A winter visitor to the Yuma, Arizona. I found this one is a nice little water trap on one of the many golf courses in the area.
Ruddy Ducks are compact, thick-necked waterfowl with seemingly oversized tails that they habitually hold upright. Breeding males are almost cartoonishly bold, with a sky-blue bill, shining white cheek patch, and gleaming chestnut body. They court females by beating their bill against their neck hard enough to create a swirl of bubbles in the water. This widespread duck breeds mostly in the prairie pothole region of North America and winters in wetlands throughout the U.S. and Mexico
Ruddy Ducks dive to feed on aquatic invertebrates, especially midge larvae. They feed most actively at night, so you�ll often see Ruddy Ducks sleeping during the day, head tucked under a wing and tail cocked up.
Uploaded
January 17th, 2014
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Comments (37)
Don Columbus
Congratulations Robert, your work is Featured in "A Birding Group - Wings" I invite you to place it in the group's "2019 Featured Image Archive" Discussion!! L/Tweet
Ellen Ryan
What a lovely reflection and gorgeous color, Robert! L/F/T
Robert Bales replied:
Thanks Ellen for the comment on the reflection and colors along with the LFT!!