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.

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.