[EBB Sightings] Ruddy Shelduck (?), Aquatic Park

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Has anyone seen leg bands on this bird?   I'm assuming that it's the same one 
that's been seen at the Marina restoration ponds.   
I recall having read sometime during the past year that Ruddy Shelducks have 
been seen in enough appropriate places and times that they should no longer 
automatically be assumed to be escapees, but I haven't been able to track this 
reference down yet.   With an irruption of Fulvous Whistling-Ducks to the south 
of us, and two Baikal Teal and a Falcated Duck on the West Coast, and another 
Ruddy Shelduck in San Diego, this bird should perhaps not be written off as 
an escapee just yet.

If anyone knows how this bird's plumage stacks up against known wild birds 
from the Old World, I'd like to hear about it.   The Berkeley bird was paler on 
the head than the representation in "Birds of Europe".   It's range apparently 
doesn't reach into eastern Asia, but it's strongly migratory, and this bird 
was as wary as its companion Mallards and geese were.   Whatever its recent 
source is, it's a beautiful duck, and worth checking out.

Brian Fitch

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eva" FAMILY=3D"SANSSERIF" SIZE=3D"2">Has anyone seen leg bands on this bird?=
   I'm assuming that it's the same one that's been seen at the Marina r=
estoration ponds.   

I recall having read sometime during the past year that Ruddy Shelducks have=
 been seen in enough appropriate places and times that they should no longer=
 automatically be assumed to be escapees, but I haven't been able to track t=
his reference down yet.   With an irruption of Fulvous Whistling-Ducks=20=
to the south of us, and two Baikal Teal and a Falcated Duck on the West Coas=
t, and another Ruddy Shelduck in San Diego, this bird should perhaps not be=20=
written off as an escapee just yet.

If anyone knows how this bird's plumage stacks up against known wild birds f=
rom the Old World, I'd like to hear about it.   The Berkeley bird was p=
aler on the head than the representation in "Birds of Europe".   It's r=
ange apparently doesn't reach into eastern Asia, but it's strongly migratory=
, and this bird was as wary as its companion Mallards and geese were. =20=
 Whatever its recent source is, it's a beautiful duck, and worth checking ou=
t.

Brian Fitch

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