Family

Anatidae

Description

Dark large duck, richly-coloured, with fine head and bill. Male: white neck-ring, buff breast, white shoulder-patch; outer secondaries deep-chestnut, large green speculum. Female: smaller, breast chestnut; white eye-ring and white round base of bill; Both sexes: bill and legs black. Immature: duller, speckled white on front of head, other white areas grey.

Habits

Nocturnal, Shy and wary, grazes in short grass far from cover, dabbles or upends in shallow water, flocks rest far out on water.

Habitat

Wetlands Woodlands, Large shallow water: fresh, brackish, tiadal, sandspits, islands, short grasslands, pastures, open woodlands.

Breeding

July August September, 8 to14; creamy white with a glossy surface.

Diet

Herbivore, Grass and other herbage.

Details

Common Name: Australian Shelduck, Mountain Duck Scientific Name: Tadorna tadornoides
Sub Order: Unavailable Order: Anseriformes
Class: Aves Category: Native
Status: Rare Vagrant Size: 550 - 735 mm.

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