Photo: Henry de Lange / CC BY 4.0 (Wikimedia Commons)
South African Shelduck
Tadorna cana
South African Shelduck (Tadorna cana) — Ducks, Geese & Swans of Africa.
Found across 20 guides in our atlas — open any for the full checklist, photos and what's around right now.
The South African Shelduck (Tadorna cana) is a member of the Anatidae family found in Africa. Adults weigh 1.2 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 cana
Quick facts
- Weight
- 1.2 kg
- Diet
- Omnivores
- Family
- Anatidae
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Habitat
- Wetland, lake & coast
How to identify
Similar birds
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Biology & behaviour
Diet
The South African 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 South African Shelduck is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
The South African Shelduck (Tadorna cana) is a member of the Anatidae family, within the order Anseriformes. Its range spans Africa. Its distribution covers AF Namibia, Botswana and South Africa.
It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.2 kg, with a wing length of about 34.5 cm and a tail of around 11 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 1.6 million km².
Songs & calls
Frequently asked questions
How big is the South African Shelduck?
The South African Shelduck is a very large bird that weighs around 1.2 kg.
Where does the South African Shelduck live?
The South African Shelduck is found across Africa with a range covering AF Namibia, Botswana and South Africa, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.
What family does the South African Shelduck belong to?
The South African Shelduck (Tadorna cana) belongs to the Anatidae family, in the order Anseriformes.
What does the South African Shelduck eat?
The South African Shelduck is a omnivore — it takes a broad, omnivorous diet of both plant and animal foods.
Does the South African Shelduck migrate?
The South African Shelduck is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.
Is the South African 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 South African Shelduck make?
1 real field recording of the South African Shelduck — including its call — can be played in the Songs & calls section on this page, credited to the recordist who captured it.
How large is the South African Shelduck's range?
The South African Shelduck has a mapped global range of about 1.6 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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