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Stiff-tail Duck Identification

Stiff-tail Duck photos
Stiff-tail Ducks belong to the Oxyura genus or Oxyurinae sub-family and include five species including the Argentine Blue-bill or Lake Duck, Blue-billed Duck, Maccoa Duck, Ruddy Duck, and White-headed Duck. The Musk Duck is also a Stiff-tail Duck but is the only living member of the genus Biziura.



All these ducks have distinctive long stiff tail feathers which are erect when the bird is at rest, and have swollen beaks. The legs are set far back on their body making it difficult to walk on land so they much prefer being on the water.

Click on the Duck photographs to enlarge them or if you click on the Duck's name then it will take you to another page with information, more photos, and sometimes a video of that particular Duck.


Maccoa Duck

(Oxyura Maccoa)
Photo: Dave Key

Ruddy Duck

(Oxyura Jamaicensis)
Photo: Dave Key

White-headed Duck

(Oxyura Leucocephalia)
Photo: Dave Key

Blue-billed Duck

(Oxyura Australis)

Lake Duck

(Oxyura Vittata)
Photo: Nigel Key

Musk Duck

(Biziura Lobata)

Maccoa Duck

(Oxyura Maccoa)
Photo: Dave Key

Ruddy Duck

(Oxyura Jamaicensis)
Photo: Dave Key

White-headed Duck

(Oxyura Leucocephalia)
Photo: Dave Key

Blue-billed Duck

(Oxyura Australis)

Lake Duck

(Oxyura Vittata)
Photo: Nigel Key

Musk Duck

(Biziura Lobata)