Ruddy shelduck

Description

The ruddy shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea),known in India as the Brahminy duck,is a member of the family Anatidae.It is a distinctive waterfowl,58 to 70 cm (23 to 28 in) in length with a wingspan of 110 to 135 cm (43 to 53 in).It has orange-brown body plumage with a paler head,while the tail and the flight feathers in the wings are black,contrasting with the white wing-coverts.It is a migratory bird,wintering in the Indian subcontinent and breeding in southeastern Europe and central Asia,though there are small resident populations in North Africa.It has a loud honking call.