Wildlifeof Thailand
Common Shelduck
Anatidae
Photo: (c) Daniel Seth Jackson, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC-BY (May be cropped or resized)
Tadorna tadorna
Basic stats
Diet
Aquatic invertebrates, algae and seeds
Habitat
Estuaries, mudflats, saline lakes and coastal lagoons
Range
Europe and temperate Asia
Clutch size
8–10 eggs
Incubation period
30–31 days
Size
58–67cm
Wingspan
110–133cm
The common shelduck is a large, goose-like duck patterned in white, chestnut and black; breeding males have a red bill with a prominent knob. It inhabits estuaries, mudflats, saline lakes and coastal lagoons across Europe and temperate Asia. Birds sweep their bills through shallow water for invertebrates, algae and seeds, and often nest in rabbit burrows or other cavities (Wikipedia, general species account). It is Nationally Least Concern (Thailand Red Data 2025).
Quick answers
- What does the Common Shelduck eat?
- Aquatic invertebrates, algae and seeds
- What habitat does the Common Shelduck live in?
- Estuaries, mudflats, saline lakes and coastal lagoons
- Where is the Common Shelduck found?
- Europe and temperate Asia
- How many eggs does the Common Shelduck lay?
- 8–10 eggs
- How long are the eggs of the Common Shelduck incubated?
- 30–31 days
- How big is the Common Shelduck?
- 58–67cm
- What is the wingspan of the Common Shelduck?
- 110–133cm