Ruddy Duck
VU

Ruddy Duck

Oxyura jamaicensis

Unknown

Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ruddy_duck

Overview

A detailed profile for this species is sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species as assessments become available.

The Ruddy Duck faces severe population declines across much of its range due to habitat loss from wetland drainage and degradation. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and water levels in breeding wetlands. In Europe, the species is actively controlled as an invasive species that hybridizes with the endangered White-headed Duck, creating additional conservation challenges for North American populations through management confusion and negative perception.

Threat summary

Habitat

Ruddy Ducks inhabit shallow freshwater wetlands, prairie potholes, marshes, and small lakes with emergent vegetation. They prefer areas with dense cattail and bulrush stands for nesting and open water for foraging on aquatic invertebrates and plant matter.

FRESHWATER· majorTERRESTRIAL· majorFRESHWATER· major

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Frequently asked questions

Why is Ruddy Duck classified as Vulnerable?
Ruddy Duck is classified as Vulnerable because the population is declining and the species faces a high risk of extinction in the medium-term future if current pressures continue. The Ruddy Duck faces severe population declines across much of its range due to habitat loss from wetland drainage and degradation. Climate change compounds these pressures by altering precipitation patterns and water levels in breeding wetlands. In Europe, the species is actively controlled as an invasive species that hybridizes with the endangered White-headed Duck, creating additional conservation challenges for North American populations through management confusion and negative perception.
Where does Ruddy Duck live?
Ruddy Duck occurs in across multiple regions. Country-level distribution data is sourced from the IUCN Red List and cross-referenced with GBIF occurrences.
What are the main threats to Ruddy Duck?
The main threats to Ruddy Duck are ai-1, ai-2, ai-3, and ai-4. The full IUCN-classified threat record for this species is detailed on the species page.

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