Latin: Oxyura jamaicensis Average length: M 15.4", F 15" Average
weight: M 1.20 lbs., F 1.19 lbs. Description: The conformation
of the small ruddy duck is distinctive: a short, thick neck;
chunky body; stubby wings and a fan-shaped tail composed of
stiff feathers. The male ruddy duck has a brilliant rusty-brown
back, rump, neck, scapulars, chest, sides and flanks. The crown,
rear ear coverts and hindneck are black, and the throat and
sides of the head below the eyes are white. The bill is bright
sky blue and the legs and feet are grayish. Although relatively
silent, the male will give a "chuck-uck-uck-uck-ur-r-r" when
displaying. The Andean ruddy duck has the white side of the head
spotted with black in varying degrees. The Peruvian ruddy duck
is larger than the other two subspecies and has a completely
black head. Female ruddy ducks have grayish-brown neck and body
plumage. The sides of the head and neck are dull buff-brown with
a single dusky horizontal stripe crossing a pale-gray cheek
patch. The bill is d