Australian Shelduck

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Australian Shelduck - The State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries/McCann | Australian Shelduck - Bob Winters | Australian Shelduck - Bob Winters

Tadorna tadornoides

Large, brightly coloured duck with a small head and bill. The male has a head and neck that is black tinged with green with a white neck ring. Upper parts of the body are mainly black while the underparts are dark brown with a cinnamon breast. This species has a white shoulder patch, black and chestnut wings with a green speculum. Females have a white eye ring and a white ring around the bill. Size 55-74 cm.

Details
Type
Bird
Group
Animals
Duck
Other Common Names
Chestnut-breasted Shelduck, Mountain Duck
Biology

Breeds June-November. Often found in very large flocks. These disperse during late winter and monogamous pairs form and establish territories. Nests are built in tree hollows and occasionally down rabbit holes. Only the female incubates the eggs. Clutch size is between 5 and 14 and incubation is between 30 and 35 days.
Distinctive Markings

Upright stance and a dark head contrasting with a white neck ring in both males and females.
Taxonomy
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Anseriformes
Family
Anatidae
Genus
Tadorna
Species
tadornoides
Found in south-western and south-eastern Australia. Occasionally seen north to the Kimberley region of Western Australia and in central Australia.

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Females and males can often be heard calling to one another. The male honks loudly and the female responds with a buzzing call.

Interesting Facts
Diet

Omnivore. Feeds on pasture or aquatic vegetation. Also eats algae, insects and molluscs.
Habitat

Prefers freshwater habitats including lakes, estuaries, dams and flooded paddocks. Will frequent saltwater but this needs to be close to a supply of freshwater.
Native Status
Native to Australia
Audio
Sounds
Male produces a deep, harsh nasal buzzing grunt or honk. Females produce a high call, "ank - aank" or "anganker".