Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna)

OTHER NAMES: Sheldrake, Shieldrake, Skeeling Goose, Burrow Duck

Latin Etymology: Tadorna (from French name for species) tadorna (from French name)

Two Adult Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) at Frampton Marsh, Lincolnshire - February 2022

Featured Subspecies: N/A
Weight: 800-1400g  /  Length: 58-64cm  /  Wingspan: 1.1m

UK AMBER LIST / IUCN Red List: Least Concern

The Shelduck is one of our largest ducks, indeed, it is more or less on the scale of a small goose, and with it's distinctive colouration, is difficult to mistake. Mostly found on the coast and in major estuaries, but can really be found anywhere with a decent sized body of water. It's size makes it easier to photograph but it is relatively flight and dislikes people getting too close on coastal habitats.  Though there do seem to be far fewer of them present proportionally, the birds at Rutland Water do seem far less flighty, and approach within much more easy to photograph distances of the hides.

Related Species:
Order: Anseriformes 
Family: Anatidae 
Genus: Tadorna
Subspecies: none - monotypic

- Sighting Locations -

UNITED KINGDOM - Fairly numerous breeding species (15,000 pairs) and locally common Winter visitor (61,000 birds)

 - Birds seen at sites including Rutland Water, Rainham Marshes, Pitsford Reservoir, Oare Marshes and Elmley Marshes

Further Notes: BirdForum Opus, IUCN Red List, RSPB, Wikipedia, Xeno-canto