The Ruddy Shelduck
Kartavya Desk Staff
Source: DTE
Subject: Species in News
Context: Residents of Mudh village in Ladakh have been protecting the Ruddy Shelduck for over two decades, escorting fledglings safely to the Indus River during breeding season.
About The Ruddy Shelduck:
What it is?
• The Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), also known as the Brahminy duck, is a large migratory waterfowl species found across Europe, Central Asia, and parts of Africa, wintering in South Asia.
• In India, Ladakh is its only breeding site, where it nests in high-altitude wetlands between June and August.
Habitat:
• Occupies diverse ecosystems: rivers, lakes, marshes, ponds, deltas, and even man-made reservoirs.
• Found from sea level to elevations up to 4,800 metres, including deserts, steppes, and Himalayan plateaus.
• In Ladakh, it breeds in high-altitude valleys before moving broods to the Indus River.
IUCN Status:
• Classified as Least Concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Key Characteristics:
• Physical Features:
• Distinctive orange-brown (ruddy) plumage with a creamy white head.
• Males have a dark neck ring during breeding season.
• Wings show striking contrast of white coverts and black flight feathers.
• Biological Traits:
• Highly adaptable to varied climates and altitudes.
• Can be sedentary, migratory, or semi-nomadic depending on region.
• Migratory populations traverse extreme terrains like the Himalayas and Gobi Desert.
• Reproductive Behaviour:
• Generally monogamous, with long-term pair bonds.
• Clutch size ranges from 8–13 eggs.
• Nests in unconventional sites such as tree hollows, rock crevices, fox dens, or building attics.
• Social Behaviour:
• Adults often cooperatively monitor multiple broods.
• Known for strong pair fidelity, symbolizing marital loyalty in Buddhist culture.
Significance:
• Contributes to wetland biodiversity and acts as an indicator of ecosystem health in fragile Himalayan habitats.
• Revered in Buddhism; considered sacred and a symbol of fidelity, encouraging community protection.