Tadorna tadorna
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Subkingdom: | Eumetazoa |
| Superphylum: | Deuterostomia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Subphylum: | Vertebrata |
| Infraphylum: | Gnathostomata |
| Superclass: | Tetrapoda |
| Class: | Aves |
| Subclass: | Neornithes |
| Infraclass: | Neognathae |
| Superorder: | Galloanserae |
| Order: | Anseriformes |
| Suborder: | Anseri |
| Superfamily: | Anatoidea |
| Family: | Anatidae |
| Subfamily: | Tadorninae |
| Genus: | Tadorna |
The common shelduck resembles a small short-necked goose in size and shape. It is a striking bird, with a reddish-pink bill, pink feet, a white body with chestnut patches and a black belly, and a dark green head and neck. The wing coverts are white, the primary remiges black, and the secondaries green (only showing in flight) and chestnut. The underwings are almost entirely white. Sexes are similar, but the female is smaller, with some white facial markings, while the male is particularly crisply colored in the breeding season, his bill bright red and bearing a prominent knob at the forehead.
Ducklings are white, with black cap, hind neck and wing and back patches. Juveniles are similarly colored, greyish above and mostly white below, but already have the adult's wing pattern.
The call is a loud honk.
Common name(s): Common shelduck
Ducklings are white, with black cap, hind neck and wing and back patches. Juveniles are similarly colored, greyish above and mostly white below, but already have the adult's wing pattern.
The call is a loud honk.
Common name(s): Common shelduck
Sightings Heatmap
If you think any of the above information is incorrect, or would like to discuss this species, please use the comments box below.