Wednesday 18 September 2024

Wild Bird Wednesday 634 - Paradise Shelduck

The Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata) also known as the Paradise Duck, or Pūtangitangi in Māori, is a species of shelduck, a group of goose-like ducks, which is endemic to New Zealand. 

This bird is common and is found over most of New Zealand. The female bird has a white head, and the male is a much darker bird.  Individuals weigh between 1.4 and 1.7 kg and are about 65cm in length.   Paradise Shelducks mate for life and usually live as pairs.  These birds, which I take to be a bounded pair, were on the beach at Oban on Stewart Island. This species is largely herbivorous, and mostly graze on pasture grasses and clover, but have been observed eating a wide range of invertebrates.

Both of these birds were drinking and washing in a small stream (or possibly stormwater drain) that was flowing over the beach.





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13 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    A very smart looking bird indeed! YAM xx

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  2. Hello Stewart, thanks for sharing these beautiful critters.
    All the best!

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  3. It is so special. The white head stands out

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  4. I like the colors of the female, a patchwork of several varieties of web-footed birds!

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  5. Beautiful photos! I love the colors of the Paradise Shelducks.

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  6. A very beautiful little duck - like all shelducks, in fact.

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  7. Such a handsome couple. The female sure stands out with that white head!

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  8. What a pretty Duck..Love it's colors..new one to me!!

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  9. white head look very interesting..... beautiful

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  10. We are a 'Snap' this week. Your Shelduck is really lovely Stewart. Thanks for hosting and commenting. Have a great week ahead.

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  11. Bardzo mi się podoba, nie znałam do tej pory tego ptaka, gratuluję obserwacji i zdjęć.

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