South African Shelduck
Tadorna cana
The South African Shelduck (Tadorna cana) is a uncommon ducks, swans, and geese found in 21 countries, weighing about 1.2 kg. The South African shelduck or Cape shelduck is a species of shelduck, a group of large goose-like birds in the bird family Anatidae, which includes the swans, geese and ducks.
About the South African Shelduck
The South African shelduck or Cape shelduck is a species of shelduck, a group of large goose-like birds in the bird family Anatidae, which includes the swans, geese and ducks. This is a common species native to southern Africa.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
How to identify it
Adult South African shelducks have ruddy bodies and wings strikingly marked with black, white and green. The male has a grey head, and the female has a white face and black crown, nape and neck sides. In flight they can be hard to distinguish from Egyptian geese. Juveniles are duller in appearance. Young females lack the white on the head, excluding white eye circles. The colour on the females head is highly variable, with the extent of white increasing with age, and can become almost fully white-headed.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in Germany, France, United States, Belgium, Sweden, Netherlands, Italy, Portugal, Czechia, Austria, Slovakia, Canada.
When to see it
The South African Shelduck can be seen all year round, with peak activity in September. It is a resident species across most of its range.
Easily confused with
Quick questions
- How do you identify a South African Shelduck?
- Adult South African shelducks have ruddy bodies and wings strikingly marked with black, white and green. Full identification notes are on this page.
- How big is a South African Shelduck?
- The South African Shelduck is a large sized bird weighing about 1.2 kg.
- Where can you see a South African Shelduck?
- The South African Shelduck occurs in 21 countries, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, the United Kingdom and Spain.
- What birds look similar to a South African Shelduck?
- The South African Shelduck is most easily confused with the Paradise Shelduck, the Australian Shelduck and the Ruddy Shelduck.
- Is the South African Shelduck endangered?
- The South African Shelduck is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
Learn the South African Shelduck for real
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