A couple of characteristics are readily apparent in this photo of a ruddy. They are a member of a family called stiff-tailed ducks and why is evident from the photo. They are also a diving duck and, much like the bufflehead, their legs are set far back on their body to aid in underwater propulsion. In fact, their legs are set so far back, they are all but helpless on land. There have been cases where ruddies mistook a wet road for a river and, after landing, could not get airborne again. Since they are a nocturnal migrant, it is not difficult to see how they could mistake a shiny road surface for a river.
No comments:
Post a Comment