Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides)
The Australian Shelduck, Tadorna tadornoides is a shelduck, a group of large goose-like birds that are part of the bird family Anatidae, which also includes the swans, geese, and ducks.
These ducks are protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, of 1974.
Range / Distribution:
This is a bird which breeds in southern Australia and Tasmania. In the southern winter, many birds move further north than the breeding range. As with other shelducks, this species has favored molting grounds, such as Lake George, NSW, where sizable concentrations occur.
The Australian Shelducks species is mainly associated with lakes in fairly open country, breeding in tree holes, holes in banks, or similar.
Description:
The male (depicted) is largely blackish, with a chestnut breast, white neck collar, and dark green head. The female is similar but has white around the eye. Both sexes, like most shelducks, show large white wing patches in flight.
