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Birds by name

Shelduck

Conservation status: Amber

This is a big, colourful duck, bigger than a mallard but smaller than a goose. Both sexes have a dark green head and neck, a chestnut belly stripe and a red bill.

Overview

Latin name

Tadorna tadorna

Family

Swans, ducks and geese (Anatidae)

Where to see them

Mainly in coastal areas, though they can also be found around inland waters such as reservoirs and gravel workings.

When to see them

Any time of year, but the population swells to more than 81,000 birds during winter.

What they eat

Invertebrates, small shellfish and aquatic snails.

Population

EuropeUK breeding*UK wintering*UK passage*
-10,900 pairs61,000 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

Key

Please note that the map is only intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.

Illustrations

Audio

Marco Dragonetti, Xeno-canto

Characteristics

Shelduck (adult)

Shelduck - male
  • Size: bigger than mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, orange, cream/buff, green
  • Beak colours: red/pink
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: pink/flesh
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground

Shelduck (juvenile)

Shelduck - juvenile
  • Colouring: Juvenile
  • Size: bigger than mallard
  • Feather colours: brown, black, white, orange, cream/buff, green
  • Beak colours: red/pink
  • Beak length: long
  • Beak thickness: long
  • Beak shape: long
  • Leg colour: pink/flesh
  • Behaviour: part of flock, on ground, bird walks/runs on the ground

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