Common shelduck
The Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) is a distinctive waterfowl found primarily in Europe and Asia, known for its vibrant coloration, particularly the bright red bill and dark green or black head. It exhibits sexual dimorphism; males, referred to as drakes, possess a noticeable knob on their bills, while females, called ducks, may have white markings around their bill bases. Both sexes measure about two feet in length and weigh between two to three pounds, with a wingspan of 3.5 to 4.5 feet.
Common Shelducks thrive in coastal tidal flats, estuaries, and open areas near water sources. Their diet consists mainly of crustaceans, aquatic plants, and occasionally grains. They form monogamous pairs during the breeding season, which occurs between April and June, and the female lays up to 15 eggs in a secluded nest. After hatching, ducklings follow their mother to water under the father's protection.
Notably, Common Shelducks do not migrate but fly to specific locations for molting, with significant gatherings occurring in places like northwestern Germany. The species is currently classified as of least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), indicating a stable population.
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Common shelduck
The common shelduck is a waterfowl native to Europe and Asia. It is also referred to as the skeel goose, sly duck, burrow duck, and bay duck.The common shelduck's name comes from the Old English word sheld which means "multi-colored." One characteristic mark is their bright red bills.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Aves
Order: Anseriformes
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Tadorna
Species: Tadorna
The common shelduck has a dark green or black neck and head with a bright red bill. The red bill is a distinctive mark on this goose-like duck. The drake, or male, has a large bump, or knob, on the base of his bill which the female, called a duck, does not have. She may have some white markings around the base of her bill which the drake lacks. Both the male and female have white upper breasts and sides. A chestnut band runs around the duck's shoulder area. On the drake, this band extends to include part of his underside. The drake has green or black on his back, while the duck has a white back. Both have some chestnut, green, and black markings near their tails.
Each shelduck is about two feet (60 centimeters) long and weighs two to three pounds (1 to 1 1/2 kilograms). Their wingspan is 3 1/2 to 4 1/2 feet (1 to 1 1/2 meters) long.
Typical feeding sites include the shorelines of coastal tidal flats and estuaries. Common shelducks also prefer areas in the open country near other water sources such as rivers and lakes. The common shelduck's diet consists of crustaceans, like crabs and shellfish, as well as Hydrobia, which are small, saltwater snails. Fish eggs, worms, insects, and aquatic plants are also common meals. Occasionally, the ducks may eat grain and seeds from fields.
When common shelducks first mate, the drake is four to five years old, and the duck is two years old. During the mating season, the pair are monogamous. This means they do not have other partners. They may have different partners the next mating season. The pair mates between April and June. The drake and duck most often remain together for the duration of their lives, which may be up to 15 years. The duck finds a suitable nesting site on a coastal dune, near a marsh, reservoir, lake, or flooded gravel pit. She may build her nest in a burrow, under rocks, or in a hollow tree. This nesting site is apart from other shelducks, and the pair is territorial. Onto a layer of soft grass and feathers she lays up to 15 eggs and incubates them for one month. After hatching, the ducklings parade behind their mother to the water while the father guards them. Ducklings from several families may live in a creche, or nursery group, when they are two weeks old. At two months old, the young shelducks are able to fly and are independent.
Shelducks do not migrate as the seasons change, but each year almost all adults fly to particular places to molt, or shed, their feathers. One of their molting grounds is in northwestern Germany near the Wadden Sea, where as many as 100,000 ducks gather in one place.
The population numbers of the Common shelduck are healthy. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) categorize the species as of least concern.
Other related species are:
- Australian shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides)
- Ruddy shelduck(Tadorna ferruginea)
- Paradise shelduck(Tadorna variegata)
- Crested shelduck(Tadorna cristata)
Bibliography
“Common Shelduck.” Animalia, 2024, animalia.bio/common-shelduck. Accessed 6 Apr. 2024, www.birdguides.com/articles/species-profiles/common-shelduck-the-forgotten-duck. Accessed 6 Apr. 2024.
“Common Shelduck: Common Shelduck: The Forgotten Duck.” Bird Guides, 24 Dec. 2023,
Howard, Laura.“Anseriformes Ducks, Geese, Swans, and Relatives.” Animal Diversity Web, 2003, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Anseriformes. Accessed 6 Apr. 2024.