Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) सुरखाब, लाल बतख - Birds Around Me 0271

-
The Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea), known in Hindi as सुरखाब or लाल बतख, is one of the most striking waterfowl seen across India during winter. With its rich orange‑brown plumage, pale head, and contrasting black tail and flight feathers, it stands out vividly against the blue of lakes and rivers.  

Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) सुरखाब, लाल बतख Jabalpur, December 2025
Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) सुरखाब, लाल बतख 
Jabalpur, December 2025


This species is medium‑sized, measuring about 58–70 cm in length, with long legs and a strong bill. Males and females look alike, though males may show a faint black neck ring during the breeding season. In flight, the Ruddy Shelduck is unmistakable, displaying bold white wing patches bordered by black.  

The bird breeds across Central Asia, Mongolia, and southeastern Europe, nesting in burrows, cliffs, or even abandoned buildings. In winter, large numbers migrate south to the Indian subcontinent, where they are found on rivers, reservoirs, and wetlands. In India, they are especially common along the Ganges basin, Rajasthan lakes, and central plains, including Madhya Pradesh.  

Ruddy Shelducks are omnivorous, feeding on grasses, seeds, aquatic plants, and small invertebrates. They are usually seen in pairs or small groups, rarely mixing with other ducks. Their loud, honking calls echo across waterbodies, earning them the nickname “Brahminy Duck” in older literature.  

Culturally, the name सुरखाब (Surkhab) carries poetic significance in Hindi and Urdu, often symbolizing beauty, rarity, and elegance. The phrase “सुरखाब के पंख” (feathers of Surkhab) is used metaphorically to describe something precious or extraordinary.  

Though listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, Ruddy Shelducks face threats from wetland degradation and hunting. Protecting their wintering grounds is vital to ensure that these graceful “लाल बतख” continue to brighten India’s waters each year.  

Hindi Names of Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) सुरखाब, लाल बतख 


Ashutosh Jhureley @BirdsAroundMe


Birds Around Me - Ashutosh Jhureley



Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) सुरखाब, लाल बतख Jabalpur, December 2025
Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) सुरखाब, लाल बतख 
Jabalpur, December 2025

Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) सुरखाब, लाल बतख Jabalpur, December 2025
Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) सुरखाब, लाल बतख 
Jabalpur, December 2025



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Birds Around Me 0160 - Black Kite काली चील (Milvus migrans)

-
Image
The king of urban skies - "Pariah or Black Kite ( काली   चील) - Milvus migrans", you can find these birds soaring above urban landscape all over India. In the middle of New Delhi, you could actually see 100s of Black Kites. Every time I go to India, the population of these birds catches my attention, it's growing along with other birds like Wood Pigeon and Crows. Black Kite काली चील (Milvus migrans) October 2023 Jabalpur, M.P., India The  Pariah or Black Kite ( काली   चील) - Milvus migrans live in the neighbourhood of human habitations and depend for their livelihood chiefly on the artificial conditions created by the man. It is a large brown hawk easily distinguished from all other similar birds by its forked tail, a feature particularly noticeable in flight. Numbers are always present near slaughter houses, fish and meat markets, refuse dumps and docks for any bits that they can pick up. The ease and grace with which a kite will make its lightning swoop to carry off a d...
Read more

Birds Around Me 0083 - Common Kingfisher छोटा किलकिला, राम चिरैया, शरीफन, निता मछराला (Alcedo atthis)

-
Image
Common Kingfisher छोटा किलकिला, राम चिरैया, शरीफन, निता मछराला  (Alcedo atthis)  RSPB Rye Meads August 2022 In 2014, it was the first time I saw and photographed Common Kingfisher  छोटा किलकिला, राम चिरैया, शरीफन, निता मछराला  (Alcedo atthis)   in Jabalpur, India. It was an experience on its own. I was sitting with my dad by the side of a small lake literally in front of our home talking about rubbish being dumped in the water bodies all over Jabalpur. Once renowned for its water bodies, the only name of those remain postal addresses. I had my camera with me because my dad wanted me to click a photo of him with his friend. All of a sudden we saw a bird diving in, a colorful one. It was Common Kingfisher and it flew and perched literally 5 meters from me. And it wasn't just  the Common Kingfisher that we saw that day, but also a couple more  White-throated Kingfisher ( किलकिला ,  श्वेतकण्ठ   कौड़िल्ला ) / Halcyon Smyrnensis  and...
Read more

Bird Stories - Interesting Facts - Common Kingfisher

-
Image
I have been photographing, watching and observing   Common Kingfisher छोटा किलकिला, राम चिरैया, शरीफन, निता मछराला (Alcedo atthis)   for almost 8 years now. Over this time I have learned a few facts, observed some interesting behavior, and read a lot. Sharing some of these here: Common Kingfisher छोटा किलकिला, राम चिरैया, शरीफन, निता मछराला (Alcedo atthis) 1. How to differentiate between Male & Female? Both sexes of  Common Kingfisher  look very similar, females are slightly smaller than males. But the magic is in the mandible (bill or beak), males have all-black upper and lower mandibles while females have conspicuous orange lower mandibles. Obviously, females love to put lipstick on. It is hard to differentiate sexes in juveniles, they develop color in mandible only after a year or so. Male & Female Common Kingfishers with fish for the chicks 2. How to differentiate juveniles from Adults? There are two ways to differentiate between  Common Kingfis...
Read more