The Refuge was established primarily to protect migratory birds and other native wildlife.  Over 220 species of birds have been observed, with 15 species of waterfowl nesting here each year.  Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge is known for having the largest breeding population of canvasback ducks in the Lower 48 states west of the Mississippi.  The rare Trumpeter Swan, the largest waterfowl species in the United States, nests here and as many as 40 overwinter on the Refuge.  The marsh and wetlands also attract American White Pelicans, Sandhill Cranes, and wading birds such as White-faced Ibis, Black-necked Stilts, and American Avocets.  Greater Sage-Grouse nest in the shrub-steppe uplands and bring their chicks to forage in the adjacent meadows.  American Kestrels, Red-tailed Hawks, Northern Harriers, and Golden Eagles are common throughout the year, while Bald Eagles, Rough-legged Hawks, and Swainson’s Hawks are frequent winter visitors. Visit the bird gallery 

Mule Deer and Pronghorn are the most commonly seen large mammals on the Refuge.  Rocky Mountain Elk, which spend most of their time in the surrounding mountains out of view, are sometimes seen in early morning or evening feeding or wallowing in the lush meadows.  Coyotes are numerous and often seen or heard howling at dusk.  Muskrats are often observed on the marsh during daylight hours.  Badgers, Long and Short-tailed Weasels, Mink, and numerous small mammal species inhabit the Refuge but are rarely seen.  Pygmy Rabbits are reclusive residents of dense sagebrush stands while Western Cottontail rabbits and Black-tailed Jackrabbits are more easily observed. Visit the mammal gallery 

The Refuge supports one of Nevada’s most important remaining populations of Northern Leopard Frogs, a species in decline throughout the west.   Western Toads are found in Ruby Valley, and although museum specimens from the 1920’s confirm they once occurred on the Refuge, none have been documented in recent years.

Great Basin Gopher Snakes, Western Terrestrial Garter Snakes, Western Racers, Great Basin Rattlesnakes, and Night Snakes can be found on the Refuge.  Rubber Boas occur in adjacent mountainous terrain.  Western Fence Lizards, Sagebrush Lizards, Greater Short-horned Lizards, and the Western Skink comprise the four species of lizard found at Ruby Lake National Wildlife Refuge.

Please drive slowly and be observant for snakes (at times numerous) on both the county road and the auto tour, as they play an important natural role as both predator and prey.  Efforts to document additional species of amphibians and reptiles on the Refuge are ongoing. Visit the reptile and amphibian gallery 

At approximately 17,000 acres, freshwater marsh is the dominant habitat and what primarily attracts the wildlife for which the Refuge was established.  The marsh receives cool, clean water from about 200 springs emanating near the base of the Ruby Mountains.  Nine-thousand acres of the South Marsh are so pristine they were designated in 1972 as a National Natural Landmark.  Composed primarily of Hardstem Bulrush, it is one of the largest bulrush marshes in North America.  Open water with abundant submerged aquatic plants is dispersed amongst dense stands of bulrush forming a habitat mosaic.  Bulrush provides cover and nesting substrate for diving species such as Canvasbacks, Redheads, and Ruddy Ducks, while the open waters provide a place for them to feed.   

Riparian habitats are found along the edge of rivers, streams or other watercourses.  On the Refuge these are located along Cave Creek and the Collection Ditch.  Habitat associated with Cave Creek is riparian woodland which is composed of Aspen, Cottonwood, and Willow trees, as well as Gooseberry, Wild Rose, and other shrubs and grasses.  This area is highly attractive to nesting songbirds, raptors, neotropical migrants, Porcupines, Western Cottontail rabbits, and Mule Deer.  Riparian habitat along the Collection Ditch, a man-made canal that collects spring water from a number of sources and flows southward, primarily consists of Willow shrubs, Wild Rose, and various grasses, sedges, and forbs.  Yellow Warblers nest in the Willow thickets which also provide shade for Rainbow Trout lurking in the clear water.  Northern Leopard Frogs also utilize this riparian zone where they spend much time foraging for insects in the lush wet meadow vegetation adjacent to sections of the Collection Ditch.

Transition areas between marsh or riparian habitats and dry uplands are called wet meadows.  These are mostly level sites with moist, rich soils supporting a lush growth of grasses, sedges, rushes, and forbs.  Wet meadows attract Sandhill Cranes, Greater Sage-Grouse, Long-billed Curlews, grassland birds such as the Western Meadowlark, and small mammals which are preyed upon by raptors, Coyotes, and Badgers.  Wet meadows are also favored nesting habitat for many duck species such as Mallard, Gadwall, Lesser Scaup, and both Cinnamon and Blue-winged Teal.

Shrub-steppe is an upland habitat dominated by perennial shrubs with an understory of grasses and broadleaved plants.  Sagebrush is the dominant shrub on the west side of the Refuge, particularly on the drier slopes at the base of the Ruby Mountains.  Greasewood and rabbitbrush dominate the flats on the east side, giving way to low sagebrush on the drier slopes.  Shrub-steppe is a critical habitat for Greater Sage-Grouse and Pygmy Rabbits, and is used by a number of other bird, reptile, and mammal species for food, cover, and nesting sites.