Shelduck
The Shelduck resembles a small short-necked goose in size and shape. It is larger than a Mallard but smaller than geese such as Greylag and Canada Geese.
The Shelduck 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 primaries are black and the secondaries are green and chestnut. The underwings are almost entirely white. Sexes are similar but the female is smaller with some white facial markings whilst the male is particularly crisply coloured in the breeding season with a bright red bill bearing a prominent knob at the forehead. Ducklings are white with a black cap, hindneck and wing and back patches. Juveniles are greyish above and mostly white below but already have the adult's wing pattern.
The Shelduck breeds in temperate Eurasia where it nests in rabbit burrows and tree holes. Most populations migrate to sub-tropical areas in winter but it is largely resident in west Europe apart from movements to favoured moulting grounds such as the Wadden Sea on the north German coast.
The Shelduck is common around the coastline of the UK and Ireland where it can be found on salt marshes, tidal mudflats and estuaries although it can also be found around inland waters such as reservoirs and gravel workings. It can be seen all year round but the population increases significantly during winter with the arrival of birds from continental Europe.
Date: 8th January 2019
Location: WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire
The Shelduck 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 primaries are black and the secondaries are green and chestnut. The underwings are almost entirely white. Sexes are similar but the female is smaller with some white facial markings whilst the male is particularly crisply coloured in the breeding season with a bright red bill bearing a prominent knob at the forehead. Ducklings are white with a black cap, hindneck and wing and back patches. Juveniles are greyish above and mostly white below but already have the adult's wing pattern.
The Shelduck breeds in temperate Eurasia where it nests in rabbit burrows and tree holes. Most populations migrate to sub-tropical areas in winter but it is largely resident in west Europe apart from movements to favoured moulting grounds such as the Wadden Sea on the north German coast.
The Shelduck is common around the coastline of the UK and Ireland where it can be found on salt marshes, tidal mudflats and estuaries although it can also be found around inland waters such as reservoirs and gravel workings. It can be seen all year round but the population increases significantly during winter with the arrival of birds from continental Europe.
Date: 8th January 2019
Location: WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire
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