Photo: Christian Ursilva from København, Danmark / CC BY-SA 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
Australian Shelduck
Tadorna tadornoides
Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Australia & Oceania.
Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Australia & Oceania. Adults weigh 1.4 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Least Concern.
Conservation status
IUCN Red List (opens in a new tab)Widespread and abundant — not currently at risk.
Where it fits
- Class Aves
- Order Anseriformes
- Family Anatidae Ducks, Geese, Swans
- Genus Tadorna
- Species tadornoides
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.4 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Least Concern
Biology & behaviour
Diet
The Australian Shelduck is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Behaviour
A bird of wetlands, it forages mainly on the ground.
Migration
The Australian Shelduck is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides) belongs to the Anatidae family of the order Anseriformes. Its range spans Australia & Oceania. Its distribution covers AU s Australia (except c) and Tasmania.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.4 kg, with a wing length of about 35.4 cm and a tail of around 10.6 cm.
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern. That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
Its mapped global range covers an estimated 3.3 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the Australian Shelduck?
The Australian Shelduck is a very large bird that weighs around 1.4 kg.
Where does the Australian Shelduck live?
The Australian Shelduck is found across Australia & Oceania with a range covering AU s Australia (except c) and Tasmania, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the Australian Shelduck belong to?
The Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the Australian Shelduck eat?
The Australian Shelduck is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the Australian Shelduck migrate?
The Australian Shelduck is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the Australian Shelduck endangered?
The IUCN Red List currently assesses it as Least Concern That category covers species that remain widespread and reasonably abundant in the wild.
What sound does the Australian Shelduck make?
1 real field recording of the Australian Shelduck can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the Australian Shelduck's range?
The Australian Shelduck has a mapped global range of about 3.3 million km².
Conservation
Every bird benefits from bird-safe windows, native plants, and keeping cats indoors. Small changes at home add up to real protection.
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