HUNTING HORIZONS - Worldwide Hunting Seasons Database

The Common Shelduck [Tadorna tadorna] is a widespread and common duck. This is a bird which breeds in temperate Eurasia, most populations migrate to subtropical areas in winter, but this species is largely resident in westernmost Europe.
Winters as far south as North Africa, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, India, Burma, southern China and Japan.
LENGTH: 61-63cm WEIGHT: 801-1450g WINGSPAN: 112 cm
Both sexes of the Common Shelduck are similar, it is a large, somewhat goose-like, duck with very dark green head, some black markings and orange chestnut breast band from the back of the neck to the beginning of the wings; both sides of the body and back are white, the legs are pink.
MALE: The male has a swollen red bill knob in front of the forehead in the breeding season.
FEMALE: The female is duller.
JUVENILE: Juveniles lack this orange band and have a white face and throat and more brown and white plumage.
HABITAT: Mainly coastal favouring muddy and sandy estuaries, some on inland waters but increasingly small numbers breed inland in gravel pits and fields.
FEEDING: Aquatic invertebrates, insects, molluscs and crustaceans, also small fish, spawn, worms, and plants.
CALL: Males have a low whistling cry while females produce a rapid chattering "gag-ag-ag-ag-ag" call.
FLIGHT: The Shelduck has a strong goose-like flight; it moves the wings considerably slower while flying than other species of ducks.