Regional Jet CL65; Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Aircraft Equipment Problem Critical; Inflight Event / Encounter Bird / Animal
Flight Crew Returned To Departure Airport; General Maintenance Action; General Declared Emergency
Aircraft; Environment - Non Weather Related
Passing FL220 for FL230 we received a right bleed duct red warning message.  Within a few seconds the entire pressurization failed and the cabin reached 9;500 FT.  We conducted our immediate action items and declared an emergency and we started our emergency descent to 10;000 FT.  After completing the QRH and asking for a return; I contacted our flight attendants to inform them of our situation and that we would be returning.  I also told them that they did not need to take any extra precautions; but to prepare for our return and gave them the time we had left in flight.  I took the time we had to call my Dispatcher and Maintenance to inform them of our emergency and they both agreed that we should return.  I also contacted operations to inform them of our return.  Still under our same emergency at 10;000 FT we encountered a bird at about 300 KTS on Captain's front windscreen.  We also had an overweight landing of 78;750 LBS.
As we were climbing through approximately FL230; had a right bleed (red warning).  Immediately looked at the ECS page and noticed the pressurization had failed.  Contacted ATC and declared an emergency.  Exact words 'This is Air Carrier X; I am declaring an emergency and I am descending to 10;000 FT.'  Initiated an emergency descent and as I was in the descent looked at the pressurization and I do not believe the cabin ever exceeded 9;500 FT.  There were no abnormal indications in the descent.  Pressurization descended with the cabin.  As soon as the Captain completed the QRH procedures; right after level off at 10;000 FT and approximately 300 KTS; we struck a black bird of some sort.  No damage noticed in flight other than entrails left running up the Captain's windshield.  Aircraft was overweight and descent rate was approximately 400 FPM upon landing.  Taxied back to the gate and swapped airplanes then completed the trip.
CRJ flight crew experiences a duct failure climbing through FL220 causing the pressurization to fail.  An emergency is declared and descent initiated for return to the departure airport.  The cabin does not exceed 9;500 FT.  While level at 10;000 FT and 300 KTS a bird strike occurs.