Ruddy Duck
An extremely unique waterbird for the BC Bird Trail. Smaller and stockier than a Mallard. Notable for their long, stiff tails that they often hold upright. Females are a somewhat drab brown, but males have a white patch on the cheek, richer chestnut colouring elsewhere, and an incredible light blue bill during breeding season!
Active seasons
All year, but less in summer.
How/where to find
Lakes and Ponds are the best spots to see them. Look for a smallish duck with an upright tail.
Occasionally spotted on the coast, you can most often find the Ruddy Duck in the interior of British Columbia. The best locations include the Columbia Valley Bird Trail along with the Prince George, Kelowna, Vernon, Shuswap and Nelson and Kootenay Lake outposts.
Photo by Ondrej Prosicky / Shutterstock
Find the Ruddy Duck on the bird trail
Prince George
We respectfully acknowledge the unceded ancestral lands of the Lheidli T'enneh, on whose land we live, work and play. Prince George is situated on the unceded territory of the Lheidli T'enneh First Nation and their traditional lands cover much of the area from present-day Prince George to the Rocky Mountains.
Located in the heart of British Columbia, and the gateway to the North, Prince George offers an immersive birdwatching experience. Located amidst a range of ecosystems including forests, riversides, wetlands, and meadows, Prince George provides a unique and enriching birding adventure. With this itinerary, birders can design their route to explore the city’s neighbourhoods, discover…
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Nanaimo
Nanaimo, The Harbour City, is a central hub and major ferry port on Vancouver Island. While the Old City Quarter and Commercial Street are full of retail shops and restaurants, a quick drive out of the city presents beautiful outdoor experiences and opportunities to view cedar waxwings, sparrows, hawks, and waterfowl.
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Sea to Sky
The traditional and unceded shared territory of the Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish) and Lilwat7úl (Lil’wat) Nations.
Regarded as one of the world’s best road trip routes, Highway 99 stretches 377 kilometers from the US border northeast to Cache Creek, BC. But it’s at the northern tip of Howe Sound, in view of the towering Stawamus Chief Mountain, that the Sea to Sky corridor of this coastal route earns its namesake. As…
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Osoyoos
The ancestral, traditional and unceded territory of the Osoyoos Indian Band and its people.
The ancestral, traditional and unceded territory of the Osoyoos Indian Band and its people. This particularly special destination on the BC Bird Trail presents an entirely unique climate filled with grasslands, highlands, desert and mountains – all situated around Osoyoos Lake. Due to its mild climate, Osoyoos is an ideal year-round road trip destination –…
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Fraser Valley
The traditional territories of the Sts’ailes, Seabird Island, Sq’ewá:lxw, Cheam, Douglas, Leq’a:mel, Samahquam, Sq’ewlets, Skatin and Stó:lō Coast Salish Peoples, as well as the Katzie, Kwantlen, Matsqui, Semiahmoo, Semá:th, and Mathxwí First Nations.
The Fraser Valley Bird Trail ushers birders along on a riverside tour of some of the province’s richest birding regions. Composed of four unique communities, this trail stretches from the Township of Langley in the west, through the Fraser River cities of Abbotsford and Chilliwack to the Village of Harrison Hot Springs at the southern…
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Delta
The City of Delta is composed of Ladner, Tsawwassen, and North Delta – three distinct communities that welcome an incredible diversity of migratory birds, from snow geese to the western sandpiper, year-round.
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Squamish
Protected by the Stawamus Chief Mountain, and populated by the continent’s highest concentration of wintering bald eagles, Squamish provides spectacular 360-degree views of snow-capped mountains, glacial lakes, and old-growth forests. The recently-UNESCO-designated Átl’ka7tsem/Howe Sound Biosphere Reserve encompasses the fjord, its islands, and the extensive nature surrounding it.
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Radium and Invermere
Entering the village of Radium through the iconic Sinclair Canyon presents visitors with pristine views as they’re welcomed to the crossroads of adventure and relaxation. Farther south lies Invermere: a quaint, lakeside mountain town. Life on the edge of the Canadian Rockies affords incredible opportunities to slow down and relax, or ramp up and explore…
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Cranbrook
Cranbrook is known as the true crossroads of the Kootenays, as you’ll only ever be a few minutes from experiencing incredible lakes, rivers, and adventure. Plus, it routinely reports the most sunshine hours of any city in BC, so it’s best to plan for a lot of time spent outdoors.
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Vernon
We recognize the City of Vernon is located in the traditional territory of the Syilx people of the Okanagan Nation.
We recognize the City of Vernon is located in the traditional territory of the Syilx people of the Okanagan Nation. Set against a backdrop of diverse ecosystems including lakeshores, wetlands, riversides, and picturesque meadows, Vernon presents a myriad of birding hotspots. From the serene lakeshores of Kalamalka Lake to the tranquil woodlands of Silver Star…
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Kelowna
Kelowna is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the syilx/Okanagan people who have resided here since time immemorial.
Kelowna is situated on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded tm̓xʷúlaʔxʷ (land) of the syilx/Okanagan people who have resided here since time immemorial. Kelowna promises an enchanting birdwatching journey. Located in diverse ecosystems including lakeshores, wetlands, riversides, and sprawling vineyards, this region offers many birding hotspots. From the serene waterfronts to the tranquil mountain trails, Kelowna’s…
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Courtesy of tourismkelowna.com – Ken Hagen
Richmond
The heart of the Pacific Flyway, and a central hub to travellers throughout BC, Richmond’s diverse communities and spectacular waterfront vistas are home to a plethora of migratory birds.
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Golden
Golden, British Columbia is a historic town nestled in the Columbia Valley at the northern end of the Columbia Wetlands. This 180km stretch of protected wetlands is home to more than 260 bird species as well as a variety of fish, amphibians, mammals, reptiles and invertebrates. It’s these very mountain ranges, two historic rivers, and…
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Whistler
With glaciated mountains at either side, it’s not hard to see why Whistler has been called the Valley of Dreams. The alpine home of countless bird species, including some higher-altitude specialties like Canada Jay, Clark’s Nutcracker, and Ruffed & Sooty Grouse. Golden-eared visitors might also listen for the high pitched call of the local hoary…
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The Shuswap
The Shuswap Is Situated Within The Traditional, Ancestral, And Unceded Territory Of The Secwépemc People.
Nestled in the heart of British Columbia, the Shuswap region offers a captivating birdwatching haven. The diverse landscapes, including lakeshores, riversides, marshlands, forests, and alpine meadows, create a mosaic of habitats that attract a wide variety of bird species. Planning a birdwatching route leads to exploring the region’s vibrant communities, independently-owned businesses, and exceptional birding…
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Kimberley
Home of both the largest urban park and freestanding cuckoo clock in Canada, Kimberley is a good place to hide out and take in the splendour of the Rocky Mountains.
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Columbia Valley
The traditional territory of the Ktunaxa and Secwepemc people.
Located between the Rocky and Purcell Mountains in southeast BC, the Columbia Valley is just a short trip from Alberta and the USA border, and about a ten hour drive from Vancouver. Situated along the Upper Columbia River, the wetlands surrounding these friendly communities are renowned for their birdlife. Stretching from Golden in the north,…
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Kimberley Radium Hot Springs and Invermere-Panorama Golden Cranbrook
South Fraser
The traditional territories of the scəw̓aθən (Tsawwassen), xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), and other Coast Salish Peoples.
The mouth of the mighty Fraser River empties into the Salish Sea and all around lie some of the most diverse waterways and marshlands in the province. Just a short 15 km drive from downtown Vancouver, the South Fraser Trail begins in Richmond with a series of important locations along the Pacific Flyway. Neighbouring Delta…
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Langley
From the Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo and Matsqui First Nations who have lived in the region for centuries, to the Fort Langley National Historic Site, the Township of Langley is rich in local traditions. A one hour drive east of Vancouver, take in beautiful riverside and lagoon bird watching opportunities, keeping an eye out for kingfishers…
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Surrey
Surrey is a big city full of people, farmland, and birds. The shores of Boundary Bay full of endless amounts of marine life, while nearby rivers and farmland ecosystems provide bird-friendly habitats all year round. Since the 1980s Surrey has seen an immigration boom create an incredibly diverse city, with more than 30% of local…
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Chilliwack
34 kilometres northeast of Abbotsford, Chilliwack is one of the province’s most popular outdoor destinations, boasting an assortment of parks, nature reserves, and farm-fresh eateries. This agricultural region is home to farm birds like red-tailed hawks and harriers and is also a great spot for cedar waxwings.
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Cowichan
Located between Victoria and Nanaimo, Cowichan takes its name from “Quw’utsun,” the name given to the valley by its original inhabitants, the Quw’utsun people. It is rooted in the Hul’q’umi’num word “shquw’utsun” which directly translated means “to warm one’s back in the sun. Look out for turkey vultures in the spring and summer, trumpeter swans in…
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Harrison River Valley
Not only do the sandy beaches of Harrison Lake, thirty-two kilometres north of Chilliwack, inspire some of the most dynamic outdoor adventure opportunities in the province, but they also provide a unique habitat for migratory birds and birders alike.
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Abbotsford
Renowned for its airshow, planes aren’t the only sights in the skies above Abbotsford – look out for hawks around the farms and airfield, as well as swamp sparrows and elusive American bittern. 45 km east of Langley, this cultivated city weaves an eclectic tale of agriculture, community, and natural environment.
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Parksville Qualicum Beach
Parksville Qualicum Beach is a charming collection of 14 unique communities – all epitomizing the relaxing Vancouver Island lifestyle. The sandy beaches of this region are truly remarkable, spanning as wide as 1 kilometre at low tide. Stick to the scenic coastline for plentiful pelagic birding opportunities, then relax and recharge your batteries with the…
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Central Vancouver Island
The traditional land of the Coast Salish people including the Quw’utsun, Halalt, Stz’uminus, Snuneymuxw, Snaw-naw-as, K’ómoks, and Qualicum First Nations
A short drive from Victoria or serene ferry sailing from Vancouver, Central Vancouver Island is home to diverse ocean, estuary, riverside, marshland, forest, and alpine habitats – a wide variety of birding hot spots, all nestled safely along the Strait of Georgia. Never far from farm-fresh dining and locally-roasted coffee, birders can plan a route…
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Nelson and Kootenay Lake
We would like to acknowledge, with gratitude and appreciation, that the land on which we walk and live is the traditional territories of the Sinixt, the Syilx, and the Ktunaxa peoples, and is home to many other indigenous persons, including the Inuit and Metis.
Take a peaceful journey through the stunning landscapes of British Columbia to Nelson and Kootenay Lake which offers an exceptional birdwatching experience. Nestled amidst diverse ecosystems including lakes, forests, wetlands, and alpine meadows, this region is a haven for bird enthusiasts. The tranquil waters of Kootenay Lake and the surrounding marshlands create a rich habitat…
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Photo: Joy McAdams