Wildlife_Ruddy Duck_Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge_IMGL3390 is a photograph by Randy Matthews which was uploaded on June 18th, 2022.
Wildlife_Ruddy Duck_Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge_IMGL3390
Ruddy Ducks are compact, thick-necked waterfowl with seemingly oversized tails that they habitually hold upright. Breeding males are almost... more
Title
Wildlife_Ruddy Duck_Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge_IMGL3390
Artist
Randy Matthews
Medium
Photograph - Photography
Description
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.
Uploaded
June 18th, 2022