Ruddy Shelduk

Oct. 9, 2023

The first batch of about 50 members of the Ruddy Shelduk, popularly known as ‘Surkhab’ birds, arrived in Uttarakhand for a six month winter stay.

About Ruddy Shelduk:

It (Tadorna ferruginea) belongs to the family Anatidae under the order Anseriformes.
In India it is known as the Brahminy duck.
It is distributed in Europe, Asia, Indian Subcontinent and a few pockets in Africa.
These ducks are migratory birds.
They winter in the Indian Subcontinent, South India and Southeast Asia.
They inhabit large wetlands, salt lakes, crater lakes, rivers with mud flats and shingle banks.
It is a mainly nocturnal bird.
It is omnivorous and feeds on grasses, the young shoots of plants, grain and water plants as well as both aquatic and terrestrial invertebrates.
They are no sitting ducks; they scale the mighty Himalayas when flying to India from the north attaining heights of 6,800 metres.
Conservation status
- IUCN : Least Concern

Source : Surkhab birds arrive at Uttarakhand for winter stay

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