Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) — identification, habitat & look-alikes

The Common Shelduck is a large duck native to Europe, northern Africa, and Asia. It has a white body, a chestnut breast band, a dark head, and a red bill. The United States is outside its natural range.

Appearance

Appearance: Adults are about 2 ft (61–63 cm) long, mostly white with a dark greenish head, chestnut breast band, and red bill. A breeding male has a prominent knob at the base of the bill.

Look-alikes

Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferruginea

A Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) is mostly rusty orange. A Common Shelduck has a mostly white body, a chestnut band across the chest, and a dark head.

Why they get mixed upBoth are large shelducks with reddish coloring.

Where it lives

Typical habitats: Tidal mudflats
Estuaries
Coastal marshes
Range: Its natural range spans Europe, northern Africa, and Asia. It is not a regular native wild bird in the United States, but it can be seen in zoos.

Behavior

Diet: They feed on small marine such as snails, , , and insects.
Activity: They search for food on muddy shores and in shallow water.

Life cycle

Nest: In their native range, they may nest in tree hollows or old rabbit burrows.
Clutch size: 8–10 eggs

Conservation

IUCN Red List: LCLeast ConcernLow risk of extinction

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