Common Shelduck

The Common Shelduck is a large, boldly patterned duck that looks almost goose-like in size and shape. Both sexes share a striking pattern of a white body crossed by a broad chestnut breast band, a glossy dark green head, and a bright red bill; males show a small knob at the base of the bill during the breeding season. In flight, the black flight feathers and green speculum contrast sharply with the white body.

Widespread across temperate Europe and Asia, the Common Shelduck is most closely tied to coastal mudflats and estuaries, though it also uses inland lakes in parts of its range.

Key field marks

• Large size, goose-like proportions, white body with a chestnut breast band
• Glossy dark green head and neck, bright red bill (males have a red knob at the base during breeding season)
• Black scapulars and flight feathers, iridescent green speculum visible in flight

Similar species

The Ruddy Shelduck is entirely orange-brown with a pale head and lacks the white body and chestnut breast band of the Common Shelduck, and its bill is dark rather than red. No other Eurasian duck combines the bold white/chestnut/green pattern of the Common Shelduck.

Common Shelducks breed across temperate Europe and Central Asia, favoring coastal mudflats, estuaries, salt marshes, and adjacent farmland, as well as some inland lakes and wetlands. Many populations are migratory, with large numbers molting communally at a few key coastal sites before dispersing to winter along milder coastlines within the breeding range or slightly to the south.

Behavior

Shelducks feed by walking and sifting through mud and shallow water, often in pairs or small flocks, and gather in large numbers at traditional molting sites after breeding.

Voice

Males give a soft whistling call, while females produce a loud, harsh, repeated barking or laughing quack, especially in flight or during disputes.

Feeding

Small mollusks, crustaceans, and other invertebrates sifted from mud and shallow water, along with some plant material.

Nesting

Nests in burrows, rabbit holes, tree cavities, or dense vegetation, sometimes well away from water; clutches typically hold 8-12 eggs, and broods are sometimes combined into large creches tended by a few adults.