lacha rua (Ulster lar rua) (Munster loch a rua)
In the Republic of Ireland the Ruddy Duck is protected during its breeding season (breeding birds, nests and eggs). There is however an open season in which you can hunt Ruddy from 1st September to the 31st of January.
Ruddy ducks are a aggressively invasive species (1950) that interbreed with native white ducks and threaten to overrun native bird habitats.
