Exotic Waterfowl

Ruddy Shelduck (female) Photo by George Wall

Have you ever heard of a Ruddy Shelduck? If you haven’t, I’m sure you’re not alone. A Ruddy Shelduck is considered Exotic Waterfowl in the Sibley Field Guide to Birds.

What is an exotic species? It simply means that the species doesn’t belong in this area of the world. The main breeding area of this species is from southeast Europe across central Asia to southeast China. These birds are migratory, wintering in southern Asia.

Why are they found in Arizona? They could just as easily be found in other states as well and here’s a direct quote from Sibley’s Field Guide to Birds. “Exotic Waterfowl frequently escape from zoos and private collections; virtually any of the world’s waterfowl species can occasionally be seen free-flying in North America.”

What are some of the other Exotic Waterfowl? There’s the Common Shelduck, Black Swan, Whooper Swan, Bar-headed Goose, Mandarin Duck, White-cheeked Pintail, Red-crested Pochard and the Egyptian Goose.

What about the Graylag (Barnyard) Goose? Don’t confuse Domestic Waterfowl with Exotic Waterfowl. Domestic Waterfowl are usually interbred species found on farm ponds and in city parks and bear little resemblance to the original species. Exotic Waterfowl look exactly like the original from someplace else in the world.

Although these birds are observed in the wild from time to time in North America, no evidence of a genuine vagrant has been found.