Ruddy Shelduck Call MP3s
A striking orange-brown shelduck native to Central Asia, North Africa and parts of the Middle East, the Ruddy Shelduck is legally protected rather than huntable across nearly all of Europe. These recordings are intended for identification, birding and personal listening.
Also known as
Recordings (3)
About this species
Around 64 cm in length, the Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) is a duck of the Anatidae family: warm orange-chestnut overall with a paler head and black-and-green wing flashes. It breeds around steppe and upland lakes, descending to lowland wetlands in winter.
It is highly vocal, with loud, braying 'aang' honks recalling a goose more than a duck. It is an opportunist, taking plant matter, grain and small animals alike. More goose- than duck-like, it is territorial, noisy and quick to drive off rivals. A classic quarry of the European wildfowling tradition, it reaches peak abundance on southern marshes during the cold months.
Legal use
Across Europe, including the EU and UK, the Ruddy Shelduck is a protected, non-quarry species under the EU Birds Directive and national wildlife law — it is rare as a European breeder, and killing or taking it is a criminal offense in countries such as Italy, with illegal shooting incidents periodically documented and, in at least one high-profile 2024-2025 case, publicly investigated. In parts of its true native range, such as Mongolia and other areas of Central Asia, it is treated as a legitimate game bird in season, though in much of that same region it also enjoys strong informal protection from cultural and religious reverence in Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhist tradition, and populations there are reported as stable or increasing. Given this split status, do not assume Ruddy Shelduck is legal to hunt anywhere in Europe; treat this call as an identification and birding tool in Europe and check current local law carefully anywhere else — see our full country-by-country disclaimer for details.