Oxyura jamaicensis

<strong>Oxyura</strong> <strong>jamaicensis</strong><br />

Taxon Family / Order / Class / Phylum<br />

<strong>Oxyura</strong> <strong>jamaicensis</strong> (Gmelin, 1789) Anatidae / Anseriformes / Aves / Chordata<br />

COMMON NAMES (English only)<br />

Ruddy Duck<br />

SYNONYMS<br />

Anas <strong>jamaicensis</strong> Gmelin, 1789<br />

SHORT DESCRIPTION<br />

A small diving duck inhabiting freshwater habitats.<br />

Omnivorous, feeding on molluscs, insects and their<br />

larvae especially chironomid larvae, but also on seeds<br />

and parts of water plants. Distinguished by a long,<br />

sometimes erect tail characteristic of the stifftail tribe<br />

Oxyurini, with males having a bright blue bill, black<br />

crown and nape, white cheeks and reddish body.<br />

<strong>Oxyura</strong> <strong>jamaicensis</strong> is an omnivorous small diving duck.<br />

BIOLOGY/ECOLOGY<br />

Dispersal mechanisms<br />

Photo: Mark Hulme<br />

Northern populations in North America migrate<br />

south to Florida and as far south as Costa Rica, seasonal dispersal in resident UK populations.<br />

Reproduction<br />

Breeds singly or colonially from April-August, usually breeds once per season, but can be double-brooded. It<br />

lays 4-12 eggs (max. 20, mean 7).<br />

Known predators/herbivores<br />

Egg predators include raccoons, minks, skunks, foxes, corvids, and Red-tailed Hawk (Buteo <strong>jamaicensis</strong>) and<br />

Great Horned Owl (Bubo virginianus) In the native range. Gulls, herons and fish such as pike and bass prey on<br />

ducklings. Adults hunted in parts of native and introduced range. Predators have limited impact on adults in<br />

winter, except for hunting pressure.<br />

Resistant stages (seeds, spores etc.)<br />

None.<br />

HABITAT<br />

Native (EUNIS code)<br />

B: Coastal habitats, C: Inland surface water habitats, D: Mire, bog and fen habitats<br />

Habitat occupied in invaded range (EUNIS code)<br />

B: Coastal habitats, C: Inland surface water habitats, D: Mire, bog and fen habitats<br />

Habitat requirements<br />

Almost exclusively freshwater; prefers pools with fairly shallow bottoms and rich in aquatic plants; avoids<br />

flowing fresh water.<br />

DISTRIBUTION<br />

Native (EUNIS code)<br />

Northwestern and north-central U.S.A. and Canada, Central America, Caribbean, Andean highlands<br />

Known Introduced Range<br />

Recorded in 21 Western Palearctic countries from Belgium east across to Turkey, south to Spain, Portugal, Italy<br />

and Morocco and north to Norway; Iceland. The UK has the largest population with around 5,000 individuals<br />

followed by France with 50 breeding pairs while other countries currently have very low numbers.

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Trend<br />

Increasing in several European countries; some actions to control populations exist in at least 15 Western<br />

Palearctic countries.<br />

MAP (European distribution)<br />

Known in country<br />

Legend<br />

Known in CGRS square<br />

INTRODUCTION PATHWAY<br />

Escapes and accidental releases from waterfowl collections and breeding farms<br />

Natural spread to Europe from UK populations.<br />

Known in sea<br />

IMPACT<br />

Ecosystem Impact<br />

Hybridization with two species including the VULNERABLE White-headed Duck, <strong>Oxyura</strong> leucocephala. It is<br />

dominant over this species in the wild. First and second generation hybrid back-crosses with the Ruddy Duck<br />

are fertile and dominant also. A serious threat to this species.<br />

Health and Social Impact<br />

None.<br />

Economic Impact<br />

Costs of eradication are considerable. There is an ongoing eradication program in the UK since 1992 with the<br />

goal of reducing the population to less than 175 birds or 5 % of the 1999 population at an estimated cost of 3.6<br />

million GB Pounds or 4.4 million Euros over a 4-6 year period. By 2004, at least 15 countries in the Western<br />

Palearctic were taking actions to control populations. Approximately 5,500 individuals have been controlled in<br />

various countries, particularly the UK (5,100), France (246) and Spain (217).<br />

MANAGEMENT<br />

Prevention<br />

Major steps are to establish baseline information and monitor existing wild and captive populations. Legislation<br />

should be improved to prevent deliberate introductions and to limit or remove populations. Strict controls, such<br />

as licensing, should be put in place to prevent escapes or ban their inclusion in captive collections.<br />

Mechanical<br />

Culling (shooting) has been applied in France since 1998, Spain since 1993 and Portugal. The largest population<br />

and assumed source of some introductions is the UK where culling has been controversial.

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Chemical<br />

None.<br />

Biological<br />

None.<br />

REFERENCES<br />

Hughes B (2005) Ruddy Duck <strong>Oxyura</strong> <strong>jamaicensis</strong>. In: Kear J (ed) Bird families of the world: ducks, geese and<br />

swans, Oxford University Press, Oxford<br />

Hughes B, Robinson J, Green AJ, Li ZWD, Mundkur T (2006) International single species action plan for the<br />

conservation of the White-headed Duck <strong>Oxyura</strong> leucocephala. Retrieved from http://www.unepaewa.org/publications/technical_series/ts8_ssap_white-headed-duck_complete.pdf<br />

on October 24, 2006<br />

Owen M, Callaghan D, Kirby J (2006). Guidelines on Avoidance of Introductions of Non-native Waterbird Species.<br />

AEWA Technical Series No. 12. Bonn, Germany. http://www.unep-aewa.org/publications/technical_series.htm<br />

OTHER REFERENCES<br />

Blair MJ, McKay H, Musgrove AJ, Rehfisch MM (2000) Review of the Status of Introduced Non-Native Waterbird<br />

Species in the Agreement Area of the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement Research Contract CR0219.<br />

British Trust for Ornithology. Thetford, Norfolk, 129<br />

Brua RB (1999) Ruddy Duck nesting success: Do nest characteristics deter nest predation? Condor 101:867-870<br />

Cramp S, Simmons KEL (1977) Handbook of the Birds of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. Oxford<br />

University Press. Oxford<br />

Green AJ, Hughes BJ (2001) <strong>Oxyura</strong> leucocephala White-headed Duck. In: Parkin DB. BWP Update: The journal<br />

of birds of the Western Paleoarctic. 79-90, Oxford University Press, Oxford.<br />

Hagemeijer EJM, Blair MJ (Eds) (1997) The EBCC Atlas of European Breeding Birds: Their Distribution and<br />

Abundance. T & AD Poyser, London<br />

Hill M, Baker R, Broad G, Chandler PJ, Copp GH, Ellis J, Jones D, Hoyland C, Laing I, Longshaw Moore N,<br />

Parrott D, Pearman D, Preston C, Smith RM, Waters R (2005) Audit of non-native species in England. English<br />

Nature Research Reports. Retrieved from http://www.english-nature.org.uk/pubs/publication/PDF/662.pdf on 7<br />

November 2005<br />

Munoz-Fuentes V, Green AJ, Sorenson MD, Negro JJ, Vila C (2006) The ruddy duck <strong>Oxyura</strong> <strong>jamaicensis</strong> in<br />

Europe: natural colonization or human introduction? Molecular Ecology 15 (6):1441-1453<br />

Hughes B (2006) Issg: Ecology of <strong>Oxyura</strong> <strong>jamaicensis</strong>. Retrieved from<br />

http://www.issg.org/database/species/ecology.asp?si=152&fr=1&sts=sss on October 15, 2006.<br />

Hughes B, Criado J, Delany S, Gallo-Urse U, Green AJ, Grussu M, Perrenou C, Torres JA (1999) The status of the<br />

North American ruddy duck <strong>Oxyura</strong> <strong>jamaicensis</strong> in the Western Palearctic: towards an action plan for<br />

eradication. Wildlife and Wetlands Trust to the Council of Europe.<br />

Kear J (1964) Wildfowl and Agriculture in Britain. Proc. M.A.R. Conf., pp. 321-331, I.U.C.N. Publ. New Ser. (3)<br />

Lever C (1987) Naturalized Birds of the World. Longman. London<br />

Long JL (1981) Introduced Birds of the World. Universe Books. New York<br />

Author: Susan Shirley<br />

Date Last Modified: February 21st, 2007