Common Shelduck

Tadorna tadorna

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Ducks, Geese, and Waterfowl
Common Shelduck, photographed by Charles J. Sharp

Photo: Charles J. Sharp · Wikimedia · CC-BY-SA 4.0 (licence)

Call and song

About the Common Shelduck

Distinctive, large, rather gooselike duck of coastal wetlands, tidal mudflats, and nearby grassy fields. Striking plumage often looks simply black-and-white; at close range, head is deep glossy green, broad breast band dark rusty. Male has raised knob at base of red bill; juvenile duller overall, with whitish face and eyering. Less numerous and more local inland at lakes and along rivers. Often seen walking and grazing, at times in flocks.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 109 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.