About the Paradise Shelduck
The paradise shelduck, also known as the paradise duck, or pūtangitangi in Māori, is a species of shelduck, a group of goose-like ducks, which is endemic to New Zealand. Johann Friedrich Gmelin placed it in the genus Anas with the ducks, geese, and swans. Both the male and female have striking plumages: the male has a black head and barred black body and the female has a white head with a chestnut body. They weigh between 1.09 and 2 kg and are between 63 and 71 cm in length.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
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The paradise shelduck is a colourful, large-bodied species of duck that differs in features depending on the sex. Both females and males have chestnut-colour undertails, primarily black wing feathers with green secondary wing feathers, and upper wing surface feathers that are white. They have black legs and webbed feet for swimming. Paradise shelducks are the largest of the Tadorna species, measuring 63 to 71 cm (25 to 28 in) in length and between 1.09 and 2 kg (2.4 and 4.4 lb) in weight, averaging 1.72 kg (3.8 lb) in males and 1.29 kg (2. Voice: The vocal calls differ from male to female. The male belts a di-syllabic honk like a goose when in flight or when alarmed. The male gives off a deep zonk-zonk honk, while the female is characterised by a penetrating zeek-zeek.
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
What the Paradise Shelduck sounds like
Where the Paradise Shelduck lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Australia, Sweden, United Kingdom, Netherlands, United States, France, Germany, Denmark.
When to see the Paradise Shelduck
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Australian ShelduckTadorna tadornoidesThe males are mostly dark, with a chestnut breast.
South African ShelduckTadorna canaAdult South African shelducks have ruddy bodies and wings strikingly marked with black, white and green.
Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferrugineaThe ruddy shelduck grows to a length of 58 to 70 cm (23 to 28 in) and has a 110–135 cm (43–53 in) wingspan.
Side by side: Common Shelduck vs Paradise Shelduck · Paradise Shelduck vs Ruddy Shelduck · Australian Shelduck vs Paradise Shelduck · Brazilian Teal vs Paradise Shelduck
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