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.
