Shelduck
2007 Schools Wikipedia Selection. Related subjects: Birds
| iShelducks | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Common Shelduck
|
||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
|
|
||||||||||||||
|
T. ferruginea |
The Shelducks, genus Tadorna, are a group of large birds in the Tadorninae subfamily of the Anatidae, the biological family that includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl such as the geese and swans.
A shelduck is approximately 58.5 cm in length and has a white plumage with bold brown and black markings. It can be found from the British Isles across, Europe and Asia to Eastern China.
The shelducks are a group of larger often semi-terrestrial waterfowl, which can be seen as intermediate between geese (Anserinae) and ducks. Their diet consists of small shore animals ( winkles, crabs etc) as well as grasses and other plants.
Species
- Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
- Cape Shelduck Tadorna cana
- Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides
- Paradise Shelduck Tadorna variegata
- Crested Shelduck Tadorna cristata
- Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
- Radjah Shelduck Tadorna radjah