Common Shelducks
A Common Shelduck drake
Photo courtesy of Vasudha Donnelly
This attractive bird is found in many areas of Europe and in scattered populations across much of Asia. Both sexes have similar plumage, but the females have white mottling around the base of the bill. The bill of the male is a bright waxy red in breeding season, with a distinct knob at the base; that of the female is duller and lacks the knob. They are also vocally distinct: males have a low whistling cry while females produce a rapid chattering "gag-ag-ag-ag-ag" call.
They breed in holes in trees or banks of waterways. The average clutch is 7-10 eggs and incubation takes 28 days. The drake will assist in raising the brood.
European Shelduck Links:
European Shelducks at Squaw Creek
Common Shelducks swimming
A pair: male on the left
Photos courtesy of stefan
A nine-month-old European Shelduck
Photo courtesy of Carol Kelly
A pair of European Shelducks
Photo courtesy of Pamela Martin
A male Common Shelduck
One of my drakes dabbling Another pair A juvenile Common Shelduck male Common Shelduck ducklings or
Direct questions and comments to Barry at FeatherSite -- questions and comments
Photo courtesy of Anahy Antara
Photo courtesy of Daniel Sörensen
Photo courtesy of Pat Watson
Photo courtesy of Amy Aviss
back to Poultry Page