Ruddy Duck · State-by-state

Ruddy Duck hunting regulations.

Ruddy ducks are small (15-18 ounce) stiff-tailed diving ducks that breed across the Western prairies and winter on coastal bays and freshwater wetlands across most of the US. Drakes in breeding plumage display chestnut bodies and bright blue bills. They're an unusual duck — they walk poorly on land and dive readily, making them more like a small grebe in habits than other ducks.