Australian shelduck
| Australian shelduck | |
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| File:Tadorna tadornoides female 1 - Perth.jpg | |
| Female | |
| File:Tadorna tadornoides male 1 - Perth.jpg | |
| Male | |
| Scientific classification | |
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T. tadornoides
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| Binomial name | |
| Tadorna tadornoides |
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The Australian shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides) is a shelduck, a group of large goose-like birds which are part of the bird family Anatidae. The genus name Tadorna comes from Celtic roots and means "pied waterfowl".[2] They are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974.
Taxonomy and naming
William Jardine and Prideaux John Selby described the Australian shelduck in 1828.
Description
The males are mostly dark, with a chestnut breast. They have white neck collars and dark green heads. The females are similar, but they have white around the eyes and are smaller. Both males and females show a white wing during flight.[3]
Distribution and habitat
The Australian shelduck breeds in southern Australia and Tasmania and is still fairly common..[4] In the winter, many birds move farther north than the breeding range. As with other shelducks, this species has favourite moulting grounds, such as Lake George, New South Wales, where sizeable concentrations occur. The Australian shelduck's primary habitat is lakes in fairly open country. It is extremely wary. It makes its nest in tree holes, holes in banks, or similar locations. Eight to fifteen eggs are laid, and incubated for between thirty and thirty-three days.
