Australian Shelduck
Tadorna tadornoides
Also known as: Chestnut-Breasted Shelduck
Habitat
Aquatic
Diet
Omnivore
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
1.4 kg
About This Species
A large, dark waterfowl of southern Australia's wetlands, estuaries and coastal pastures, often seen grazing on grass or dabbling in shallow water in pairs or small flocks. Adults show a chestnut breast band and white neck ring, and family groups with ducklings are a common sight on farm dams and salt lakes in late winter and spring. Early morning or late afternoon around open water is the best time to watch them feeding and resting.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Keep well back from nesting or moulting birds, since shelducks can be flightless for a period while moulting and are especially vulnerable to disturbance then.
- Native waterfowl are protected under Australian state and federal wildlife legislation, though the specific rules and permitted activities differ between states, so check local regulations rather than assuming a single national standard.
- Viewing from a vehicle or hide at the water's edge, without approaching directly, is the least disruptive option.
LCAvesAnseriformesAnatidae
Seasonal Activity
194,543 sightings · 2000–2026
Citizen science records via GBIF
All monthsThis month
Classification
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
Traits
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Foraging
- Aquatic
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 1.4 kg
Photo
Wikimedia Commons / Wikimedia Commons
CC-BY-SA-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.