Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
(aka Shelduck)
Shelduck Trimley Marshes, Suffolk, England, March 2005 - click for larger image England and Scotland

The Common Shelduck breeds in coastal north-west Europe, the Mediterranean, Central Asia and China. Many northerly populations migrate southwards during the winter but British populations and others are sedentary although they migrate to specific areas for the annual moult. See the distribution map at xeno-canto.

Shelduck Trimley Marshes, Suffolk, England, March 2005 - click for larger image It is usually found on coastal mudflats.

It looks like a small and well-marked goose. It is generally white with a dark green head, a red bill and a chestnut band across the chest. The male has a prominent bill knob as in photo 1 while the female has a smaller or nonexistent bill knob as in the right-hand bird in photo 2.

Shelduck Trimley Marshes, Suffolk, England, March 2005 - click for larger image It feeds by digging or dabbling on shellfish, snails, insects, small fish and plants.
Lackford Lakes, Suffolk, England, May 2021 - click for larger image
Paiblesgarry, North Uist, Scotland, May 2023 - click for larger image
Hazelwood Marshes, Suffolk, England, April 2023 - click for larger image
Hazelwood Marshes, Suffolk, England, April 2023 - click for larger image
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