Tadorna tadorna - Common Shelduck
Feather characters. Barbules are from short until medium length (0.6-1.1 mm). Pigmentation is absent, but in dry slides nodes may look very dark. Triangular nodes are located on distal end, covering 30%-60% of the total barbule length. On proximal end, nodal structures are visible but undeveloped and hardly swollen, and thus too small to qualify as nodes (16-21 per mm). An abrupt increase in size of nodes is seen distally along the barbules. In a very few cases triangular nodes may not be present. Villi are absent and internodes are occasionally kinked. Prongs are mostly located on distal end of barbules, on both sides of the pennulum. Their length varies but the longest prongs may reach a length between half and the entire length of the adjacent internode. Occasionally prongs may be present on proximal or middle part of barbules.
Field characters. Size 58-67 cm. Weight: male 1261 g (1100-1450), female 1043 g (926-1250) (Dunning, 1993). A large, goose-like duck which appears black-and-white at distance. At close range, black of head and neck glossed metallic green, and a conspicuous broad chestnut band round lower breasts. Blackish stripe on belly; vent cinnamon; speculum metallic green; scapulars, primaries and tips of tail-feathers black. Legs red-pink; bill bright red. Male with prominent fleshy knob at base in breeding season. Female duller and without knob at base of bill. Juvenile with dark grey-brown upperparts, head and hindneck, white forehead; chestnut band absent; legs and feet grey, bill pink-grey.
Voice. Generally silent. During the breeding season, female utters a rapid, nasal "ak-ak-ak", or "gagagaga"; male has a variety of melodious whistling notes.
Distribution. Relatively common breeding bird, mainly in north-western Europe. Undertakes moult migration before starting autumn migration to wintering areas. Major moulting areas are the Wadden Sea, Dutch delta area, and south-west England (Bridgwater Bay). Map: see MapIt.
Habitat. Favours rabbit holes in sand dunes for nesting, but also nests on grounds under weeds and reeds, and in artefacts such as deserted buildings, haystacks, holes in trees, etc. Generally attached to brackish or salt water. Outside the breeding season, on open, shallow, saline waters, either inland or marine.
Food. Feeds by wading in shallow water or on wet mud, taking small molluscs, crustaceans, insects (+ larvae), small fish, annelids, and plant material.