Ruddy Shelduck, is it rare or not? (Cliffe Pools RSPB) (1 Viewer)

shrikebirder

Well-known member

• Jan 22, 2009

• #1

I saw a ruddy shelduck at Cliffe pools RSPB on aug. 3rd last year. It was amongst a flock of other shelduck. My collins field guide says that ruddy shelduck are really rare but birdguides doesn't. Is it rare or not?|:x|

 

robinm

Registered User

• Jan 22, 2009

• #2

The problem is that Ruddy Shelduck is common in collections and on that basis most records are treated as escapes.

 

shrikebirder

Well-known member

• Jan 22, 2009

• #3

Do you think that my one was wild though? Another guide says its more likely to be wild if its with other shelduck.

 

mikfoz

It's not a competition. Watch the birdy!

• Jan 22, 2009

• #4

It's impossible to say whether putative wild birds are collection-escapees from anecdotal accounts because the escape will be from pretty authentic wild stock only a few generations back. It's not like spotting a domestic Mallard with 50 generations of inbreeding.

It's one of the most vexing problems with picking out genuine vagrants and rarities.