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(Oxyura jamaiccensis)
Considered the clowns of the wetlands, Ruddy Ducks display energetic courting behaviour that includes the males pumping their bright blue bills with a plap-plap-plap sound that ends with a spasmodic jerk and splutter. Ruddy ducks favour shallow marshes with dense emergent vegetation and muddy bottoms.
Clifford E. Lee Nature Sanctuary 
A wildlife haven that has a wetland abundant with a variety of plants, birds and other animals
The Clifford E. Lee Sanctuary got its start in 1975 with a generous donation by Lila Lee, wife of Clifford E. Lee, to start a wildlife sanctuary close to Edmonton. For many years, the land was owned by the Canadian Nature Federation (CNF) and managed by a local volunteer group.
Over the years, the CNF and its volunteer naturalists expanded the Clifford E. Lee Sanctuary into a wildlife viewing gem that consists of over 300 acres of diverse wildlife habitat including waterfowl, blackbirds, marsh wrens, black terns, snowshoe hares, beaver, muskrat, deer, and a variety of insects and plants.
DUC first became involved with the property in 1985 when it was asked to construct a dam and water control structure for the wetland to help stabilize water levels for optimum waterfowl productivity. In 2005, CNF donated the land to DUC with the condition that DUC place a conservation easement on the lands to protect them forever in their natural state. With its close proximity to Edmonton, DUC will be able to use Clifford E Lee Sanctuary to help promote the conservation of wetlands through its youth education programs.
