Shelduck
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The Shelducks, genus Tadorna, are a group of large birds in the Tadorninae subfamily of the Anatidae, the biological family that includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl such as the geese and swans.
A shelduck is approximately 58.5 cm in length and has a white plumage with bold brown and black markings. It can be found from the British Isles across, Europe and Asia to Eastern China.
The shelducks are a group of larger often semi-terrestrial waterfowl, which can be seen as intermediate between geese (Anserinae) and ducks. Their diet consists of small shore animals (winkles, crabs etc) as well as grasses and other plants.
Species
- Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
- Cape Shelduck Tadorna cana
- Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides
- Paradise Shelduck Tadorna variegata
- Crested Shelduck Tadorna cristata
- Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
- Radjah Shelduck Tadorna radjah
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