'Ruddy duck' definitions:

Definition of 'ruddy duck'

noun

Reddish-brown stiff-tailed duck of North America and northern South America [syn: ruddy duck, Oxyura jamaicensis]

From: GCIDE

Ruddy \Rud"dy\, a. [Compar. Ruddier; superl. Ruddiest.] [AS. rudig. See Rud, n.]
1. Of a red color; red, or reddish; as, a ruddy sky; a ruddy flame. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
They were more ruddy in body than rubies. --Lam. iv. 7. [1913 Webster]
2. Of a lively flesh color, or the color of the human skin in high health; as, ruddy cheeks or lips. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
Ruddy duck (Zool.), 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.
Ruddy plover (Zool.) the sanderling. [1913 Webster]