- CHARACTERISTICS
- This shelduck reaches a length of 58 to 67 cm. The males weigh .8 to 1.5 Kg., while the females weigh .6 to 1.2 Kg.
The males have more defined colours and a redder bill. Also in the males the upper part of the bill extends forwards to form a sort of lump.
During moulting, for around four weeks, they cannot fly.
- DIET
- Their diet consists of molluscs, and is complemented with small fish, insects and other invertebrates.
- REPRODUCTION
- The clutch consists of nine to twelve eggs, although some have been found to contain more than 50 eggs. The incubation takes 29 to 31 days and is carried out by the mother while the male stays close by.
After breeding, in the month of July in Europe, they move to other locations to shed their feathers.
- CURIOSITIES
- They normally nest in sheltered places. In rabbit burrows, in the holes of hay bales, in tree hollows and other hidden places. The nest is covered with downy feathers. It is normal for the female to nest in the same location as the previous year.
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- NAME
- Common Shelduck
- HABITAT
- Europe, Africa and Asia
- SCIENTIFIC NAME
- Tadorna tadorna
- SPICE
- Poultry
- DIET
- Carnivorous
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