This was a first for me … seeing my first Ruddy Duck at Wiley Park. What treat! Another bird species that I can add to my Life List.
“Ruddy Ducks are compact, thick-necked waterfowl with seemingly oversized tails that they habitually hold upright. Breeding males are almost cartoonishly bold, with a sky-blue bill, shining white cheek patch, and gleaming chestnut body. They court females by beating their bill against their neck hard enough to create a swirl of bubbles in the water.”
They are uncommon in this area in the winter. I guess I was lucky!
“Some of the nicknames possessed by this strange bird are understandable. For instance, bluebill, bristle-tail, bullneck, bumblebee, spoon-billed butterball and rudder-bird all refer to it bodily characteristics…
“Sleepy dipper, sleepy brother, sleepy-dick, sleepy coot and sleepyhead all refer to birds’ frequent naps, always taken with beaks tucked under the back- feathers…”
https://www.mcall.com/news/mc-xpm-1985-10-27-2501737-story.html
Fun facts! Thank you!