A striking, golden-orange waterbird that stands out wherever it’s found, from lakes and rivers of Central Asia to northeastern Africa and parts of southeastern Europe. A member of the Tadorna genus, the ruddy shelduck is not a typical duck—it has the upright posture, loud voice, and strong flight style that give it more in common with geese. With its warm coloring and bold presence, it’s one of the most distinctive waterfowl in its wide range.
This bird’s plumage is mostly a rich orange-rust color, which gives the species its name. The head is pale, often cream or buff, creating a striking contrast. Males in breeding season develop a narrow black neck ring, which females lack. Both sexes have black tail feathers and wing tips, with a bold white patch on the upper wings that is clearly visible in flight.
The ruddy shelduck prefers open wetlands, such as lakes, reservoirs, rivers, and marshes, and often nests in semi-arid or highland regions, even far from water. Unlike many ducks, it frequently uses cliffs, riverbanks, caves, or old animal burrows as nesting sites. It is highly adaptable and may also be found in agricultural fields, urban parks, and man-made wetlands.
One of the most distinctive features of this species is its loud, honking call, especially from the female, which sounds like a deep, nasal trumpet. Ruddy shelducks are usually seen in pairs or small family groups, as they form strong, monogamous bonds that often last for life. During the breeding season, pairs become very territorial and will fiercely defend their nesting area from other birds.
Distribution
Afghanistan
Albania
Algeria
Armenia
Austria
Azerbaijan
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bhutan
Bosnia And Herz.
Bulgaria
China
Croatia
Cyprus
Czechia
Denmark
Egypt
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Finland
France
Georgia
Germany
Greece
Greenland
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Korea
Kuwait
Kyrgyzstan
Laos
Lebanon
Libya
Liechtenstein
Malta
Moldova
Mongolia
Montenegro
Morocco
Myanmar
Nepal
Netherlands
North Korea
North Macedonia
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russia
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Seychelles
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Spain
Sri Lanka
Sudan
Sweden
Switzerland
Syria
Taiwan
Tajikistan
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkmenistan
Official estimate
Turkey
UAE
Ukraine
United Kingdom
Uzbekistan
Vietnam
YemenAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
