The Story
This is a Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) that I photographed at the Zhangye National Wetland Park in Zhangye, Gansu, China on March 28, 2018. Pairs form a lasting bond, and the nest may be well away from water, in a hole in a cliff or tree. In central and eastern Asia its populations are steady or rising. It is a distinctive waterfowl with orange-brown body plumage, a paler head and white wing-coverts that contrast with black flight feathers. IUCN lists the species as Least Concern. The wetland park was set up for wetland restoration, wildlife conservation and ecotourism, with reed beds and constructed lakes in its inner area.
I made this frame with a Pentax K-1 and the HD PENTAX-D FA 150-450mm F4.5-5.6ED DC AW, at 1/800 sec, f/7.1, ISO 200. The wetland’s managers are working to restore habitat that farming and falling water tables have degraded.
©2018 Adam Rainoff Photographer
The bird
The Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) belongs to the family Anatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl) in the eBird/Clements taxonomy.
Source: eBird.org (opens in a new tab)
Conservation
Least Concern on the IUCN Red List (assessment published 2025), with the population trend listed as increasing. Source: IUCN Red List