Australian Shelduck

1. Large, upright duck with a chestnut breast and white wing patches.

2. Males have a dark green-black head with a white neck collar; females show a white eye ring and bill base.

3. Both sexes feature a bright green wing patch and dark gray bill.

Australian Shelducks are omnivores, feeding on grasses, seeds, tubers, aquatic plants, insects, molluscs, and occasionally small crustaceans. They forage by grazing on land and dabbling or upending in shallow water. Breeding occurs from May to October, with females laying between 5 and 24 eggs in tree hollows, burrows, or cliff holes lined with down. The female incubates the eggs for about 3–33 days, while the male defends the territory. After hatching, both parents lead the ducklings to water, and the young may join large crèches supervised by adults. The species often gathers in large flocks outside the breeding season and is known for flying in V-formations.

Australian Shelducks are widespread across southern Australia and Tasmania, with occasional vagrants reaching New Zealand and outlying islands. They inhabit a range of wetlands, including lakes, estuaries, farm dams, and flooded paddocks, and are often seen grazing in open fields some distance from water. They are most active at dawn and dusk, frequently moving between feeding and roosting sites.