[Fact box]

Print

Click on plot to view table of mean abundance

Atlas Results

Ruddy Ducks were observed in 722 atlas squares, nearly all of which were south of the boreal forest. They were common in areas where permanent wetlands with emergent vegetation dot the landscape. A Ruddy Duck hen observed skulking along a creek in flooded vegetation along the north shore of Lake Athabasca was the only far northern record for the Atlas, and although an outlier in Saskatchewan, Ruddy Ducks are reported at these latitudes in Alberta and further north into the Northwest Territories.

Note: During all years of the Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas drought conditions persisted and the Atlas range maps for all waterfowl, waterbirds, and wetland-associated species should be viewed as characteristic of distribution and abundance during dry conditions. Read the full drought statement here.

Excerpts Adapted from the Birds of Saskatchewan:

This small, chunky duck, the only North American member of the stifftail tribe, Oxyurini, breeds primarily (86%) in the prairie pothole region in Canada and the US (Brua 2002). The best-known behaviour of the drake, the unique "bubbling? display, may be directed either toward its mate or to other males (Brua 2002). In proportion to body size, female ruddies lay the largest eggs of any waterfowl; a 7-egg clutch may weigh as much as the hen (ibid.). Breeds in western North America from the Northwest Territories south into western Mexico. Also breeds around the Great Lakes. Winters along both coasts, southern US and Mexico (Brua 2002).

Large permanent marshes or lakes with open areas to allow for takeoff and landing, and with emergent vegetation for nesting, are the favoured breeding haunts. Moulting and staging birds resort to larger water bodies.

Ruddy Ducks are common in the pothole-rich parklands, uncommon in the southern boreal region and the grasslands (Smith 1996). Breeding population surveys conducted each May show a stable long-term population in southern Saskatchewan with some significant variation year to year (Thorpe and Rhodes 2008).

Original text by Ross D. Dickson. Text adapted by Daniel J. Sawatzky

Read more about the Ruddy Duck in the Birds of Saskatchewan here.

LeeAnn M. Latremouille

Recommended citation: Latremouille, L. M. 2025. Ruddy Duck in Latremouille, L. M., S. L. Van Wilgenburg, C. B. Jardine, D. Lepage, A. R. Couturier, D. Evans, D. Iles, and K. L. Drake (eds.). 2025. The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Saskatchewan, 2017-2021. Birds Canada. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan https://sk.birdatlas.ca/accounts/speciesaccount.jsp?sp=RUDU&lang=en [09 Nov 2025]