Ruddy duck Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun reddish-brown stiff-tailed duck of North America and northern South America
    Oxyura jamaicensis.

WordNet

Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.), an American duck (Erismatura rubida) having a broad bill and a wedge-shaped tail composed of stiff, sharp feathers. The adult male is rich brownish red on the back, sides, and neck, black on the top of the head, nape, wings, and tail, and white on the cheeks. The female and young male are dull brown mixed with blackish on the back; grayish below. Called also dunbird, dundiver, ruddy diver, stifftail, spinetail, hardhead, sleepy duck, fool duck, spoonbill, etc.

Webster 1913