Common Shelduck

Scientific Name: Tadorna tadorna
Common Name: Common Shelduck

Identifying Features: Reddish-pink bill, white body with chestnut patches, black belly, dark green head and neck, pink feet,  female is smaller than male with some white facial markings, bright red bill bearing a prominent knob at the forehead seen in males.

Fun Facts:

  • Most pairs leave their partially grown young in a crèche with just one or two adults.
  • The young will dive under water to avoid predators and the adults will fly away from them to act as a decoy.
  • It frequently nests in rabbit burrows.

 

This image was clicked by Alessandro Chiezzi – via Flickr.

Where have you seen this bird? Let us know in the comments below. You can also share a photo of this bird clicked by you by sending it to birdwatcher@delhigreens.org

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