Paradise Shelduck
Tadorna variegata
Habitat
Ground
Diet
Omnivore
Active Time
Diurnal
Size
1.5 kg
About This Species
Endemic to New Zealand and common across pastures, wetlands and riverbeds throughout the country, usually seen in pairs grazing on grass much like a goose. The sexes are strikingly different, with the male's dark, iridescent head contrasting against the female's white head and chestnut body. It is easy to find year-round in open farmland and along braided rivers, often close to roads.
Ethical Viewing Guidelines
- Pairs feeding on open pasture are usually tolerant of vehicles and distant observers, but should still be given room rather than approached directly on foot, especially with goslings present.
- It is a legal game species in parts of New Zealand with defined hunting seasons, so activity and access near a site can vary depending on the time of year.
- Keeping to tracks and roadsides is normally enough for a good view without causing disturbance.
LCAvesAnseriformesAnatidae
Seasonal Activity
151,165 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
- Ground
- Activity
- Diurnal
- Body mass
- 1.5 kg
Photo
(c) tangatawhenua, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by tangatawhenua
CC-BY-NC-4.0
Occurrence data from GBIF.