The Ruddy Shelduck breeds primarily from south-east Europe through Turkey to Mongolia and this population migrates south in the winter to India and south-east Asia. There is a disjunct population in north-west Africa, mainly in Morocco, and this population is sedentary. See the distribution map at Birdlife International.

Males and females are similar but the breeding male is brighter in colour and shows a narrow dark ring around the neck as seen here.