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Shelduck Identification

Shelduck photos

The Shelducks are part of the 'Tadorna' genus which include about six species such as the Australian Shelduck, Common Shelduck, Paradise Shelduck, Radjah Shelduck, Ruddy Shelduck, and South African Shelduck or Cape Shelduck.

Shelducks are a relatively large species of duck. They all have a characteristic upperwing coloration in flight with a green speculum, black primary and secondary flight feathers and the coverts (forewing) are white.

Another species of Shelduck called the Crested Shelduck (Tadorna Cristata) is now thought to have become extinct in the late 20th century.

Shelducks spend more time out of water than most other ducks and will feed on aquatic plants, molluscs, and crustaceans, as well as grasses. They prefer nesting in the hollows of trees or old animal burrows.

Click on the Duck photographs to enlarge them or if you click on the Duck's name then it will take you to another page with information, more photos, and sometimes a video of that particular Duck.


Australian Shelduck

(Tadorna Tadornoides)
Photo: Dave Key

Common Shelduck

(Tadorna Tadorna)
Photo: Dave Key

Paradise Shelduck

(Tadorna Variegata)

Radjah Shelduck

(Tadorna Radjah)
Photo: Dave Key

Ruddy Shelduck

(Tadorna Ferruginea)
Photo: Dave Key

South African Shelduck

(Tadorna Cana)
Photo: Dave Key

Australian Shelduck

(Tadorna Tadornoides)
Photo: Dave Key

Common Shelduck

(Tadorna Tadorna)
Photo: Dave Key

Paradise Shelduck

(Tadorna Variegata)

Radjah Shelduck

(Tadorna Radjah)
Photo: Dave Key

Ruddy Shelduck

(Tadorna Ferruginea)
Photo: Dave Key

South African Shelduck

(Tadorna Cana)
Photo: Dave Key