Ruddy Duck

I'm not one to use the word "cute" very often, but ruddy ducks are the cutest little things.  They are 15 in/38 cm long. This is a female in nonbreeding plumage.  Northern Illinois is not a common summer breeding area for these ducks, and this is likely a ruddy migrating south for the winter.

For comparison, a mallard duck is 23 in/58 cm long, and a Canada goose is up to 43 in/109 cm long.  I've posted a male ruddy with a Canada goose in the background as an extra.  The goose looks like a behemoth next to the ruddy.