Sound clips and movies require Adobe Flash player. Latin nameTadorna tadorna FamilySwans, ducks and geese (Anatidae) OverviewThe shelduck is a mainly white duck, larger than a mallard but smaller than geese such as greylag and Canada. It has a particularly prominent red bill, black-green head, and chestnut and white upperparts. In flight, shelducks look heavy and have slow-beating wings. Where to see themShelducks are found mainly in coastal areas, although they can also be found around inland waters such as reservoirs and gravel workings. When to see themAll year What they eatInvertebrates, small shellfish and aquatic snails. Estimated numbers| Europe | UK breeding* | UK wintering* | UK passage* |
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| - | 10,900 pairs | 81,300 birds | - |
* UK breeding is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn. Distribution
Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations. Audio is from commercial recordings Bird Songs and Calls of Britain and Europe on 4 CDs or Bird Sounds of Europe & North-west Africa, copyright WildSounds & CEBA (www.wildsounds.com, (UK) +44 (0) 1263 741100) |