If you're a birder, you'll know what a life list is. It's basically a list of all the bird species one has observed and positively ID'd in one's lifetime. This blog is a record of my "critter" life list (mostly of birds), including photos I've taken over the years, some of the actual lifer if I was lucky enough to get the shot. Don't expect National Geographic quality stuff here, just the work of an amateur photog who loves to trudge out into nature.

Friday, November 6, 2015

Ruddy Duck (Oxyura jamaicensis)

10/27/02 Outer Bolsa Chica Bay, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Huntington Beach, Orange County, CA 
7/25/04 Legg Lake, Whittier Narrows Recreation Area, Los Angeles County, CA
1/14/06 Female at Oso Flaco Lake, San Luis Obispo County, CA

LIFE LIST NOTES:

COMMON NAME: Ruddy Duck

SPECIES: Oxyura jamaicensis

FAMILY: Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)

LIFE LIST DATE: 2/24/2002

LOCATION: San Jacinto Wildlife Area, Riverside County, CA

From Kaufman Focus Guide-Birds of North America & Stokes Field Guide to Birds-Western Region:

BEHAVIOR/HABITAT: An odd little duck, common in many areas. Sluggish, sitting around on ponds, lakes, bays, sometimes in large flocks. Takes flight with difficulty, flies with fast buzzy wingbeats. In courtship, male bobs head, makes odd croaking rattle. 

IDENTIFYING MARKS: 15"; male has contrasting dark cap and white cheeks; ruddy brown body color and bright blue bill in breeding season. Female's pale cheeks crossed by smeary dark line. Wings solid dark in flight. 

VOICE: Mostly silent. Males make drumming sound by beating lower mandible on breast. 
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