2020

The Ruddy Shelduck is a member of the duck, goose and swan family Anatidae and is classed as a Shelduck. It originates from Southern Europe, North Africa and South and Central Asia

The male and female form a lasting pair bond and the nest may be well away from water, in a crevice or hole in a cliff, tree or similar site. A clutch of about eight eggs is laid and is incubated solely by the female for about four weeks. The young are cared for by both parents and fledge about eight weeks after hatching.

The ruddy shelduck is a mainly nocturnal bird. It is omnivorous and feeds on grasses, the young shoots of plants, grain and water plants as well as both aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates. On land it grazes on the foliage, in the water it dabbles in the shallows, and at greater depths, it up-ends, but it does not dive

In Western Europe the ruddy Shelduck is considered a pest as many captive birds have escaped and established themselves in the wild and are a threat to the native waterfowl due to their aggressive behaviour and interbreeding.

Due to this the Ruddy Shelduck is subject to an eradication scheme.

2021