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Artists and Birds by Marilyn and Keith Davis "From Clown School to Pond" Ruddy Duck
Most duck species have one or two
characteristics that make them different. But
with Ruddy Ducks, almost everything is unusual.
Ruddy Ducks are of the "stiff-tailed ducks"
tribe. Their spiky tail is often held erect
above the water in display. The tail is a sure
giveaway to identify. Ruddy ducks are shy,
spending much of their time surrounded by the
cattails that grow in shallow water at the edge
of wetlands. To view them in winter, go to where
Quail Creek spills into Quail Lake Reservoir.
These shallow waters seem to be a favorite haunt
of the Ruddy Ducks. Also, Springs Park Pond in
St. George attracts large numbers of migrating,
and wintering water fowl because of its close
proximity to the Virgin River. This is the pond
to see Ruddy Ducks, up close, in most any season
of the year. Ruddy Ducks are smaller, but great
divers who feed on insects, seeds, and roots of
aquatic plants.When male Ruddy Ducks achieve their breeding plumage, they look as though they graduated from Clown School with their white face patch, bright colors, pointy tail, and blue bill. The female Ruddy Duck has the remarkable ability to lay a clutch of eggs, at the rate of one per day, that can exceed her own body mass! Now that makes them an unusual species.
The artist this week is
Brenda Rusnell. Thank you Brenda for showing us
what to look for. See if you can find a Ruddy
Duck in your travels. If you don't want to
travel by yourself, come along on a Red Cliffs
Audubon Field Trip. Call Marilyn Davis for more
information at 435 673-0996. |
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