Tadorna ferruginea
The red mallard is a large duck with an appearance reminiscent of a small goose. It is one of the rarest and most spectacular aquatic birds in Romania, being present especially in the more arid areas of the Delta and in the Razim-Sinoe complex.
The plumage is almost entirely an intense orange-russet. The head is paler, almost whitish in females. In flight, the wings reveal a striking decorative contrast between the white coverts and black remiges — a colour pattern visible from a great distance. The male wears a thin black neck ring during summer.
Unlike most ducks, the Ruddy Shelduck is not closely tied to reedbed. It favours steppe areas with saline or brackish lakes, open loamy banks and semi-arid landscapes. In the Delta it often nests in unusual places: fox or badger burrows, loess cliffs or even the eaves of isolated buildings.
An extremely wary and noisy bird when alarmed, emitting loud goose-like nasal calls. Omnivorous, feeding on vegetation and seeds as well as small invertebrates found along the water's edge or on nearby fields.
Breeds in well-established pairs, using burrows dug by other mammals or natural cavities. The female lays 8–12 eggs and incubates them alone for approximately 28–29 days. The chicks are nidifugous and follow the parents to the nearest body of water immediately after hatching.
Although globally Least Concern (LC), in Romania it is a rare and vulnerable species. Protecting the nesting sites of Dobrogea and the saline lakes of the Razim-Sinoe complex is essential for maintaining the local population.