#Shelduck

[plumes-merry-critters]

"Mallard and Ruddy shelduck posing for their portraits" - August 2021

[saint-nevermore]

a dopping of Malagasy shelduck roost in holocene Madagascar. these birds are closely related to the extant Egyptian goose, which were my main reference for the markings. this was drawn during Paleostream, it was great to finally catch one and I hope to make it a recurring thing :)

[todaysbird]

the common shelduck is a migratory duck largely found in eurosiberia. males and females look similar, but males have sharper coloration and lack white markings on the face that are present in females. the species primarily feeds on small invertebrates such as crabs and grasses. during the breeding season, the species is largely found around lakes and rivers; their nests are often made in unusual locations such as rabbit burrows and haystacks.

[spinus-pinus]

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

8/2/2022 Orange County, California

[kavohh707]

Shelduck with their fluffy chicks, looking for food in the mud.

[herpsandbirds]

Ruddy Shelduck aka Brahminy Duck (Tadorna ferruginea), family Anatidae, Chilika Lake, Mangalajodi, Odisha, India

photograph by Mprasannak 

[dansnaturepictures]

26/05/2024-Brown-tail moth caterpillar, Common Tern, Avocet chick and views in a sunny time at Lymington this afternoon.

Gorgeous Roseate Terns one of my birds of the year, Little Tern, Great Black-backed Gull, Gadwall, Eider, Shelduck, Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Oystercatcher, Swifts circling overhead which was joyful to see, Redshank and Lapwing chicks I'd not seen chicks from the former before, broad-leaved clover, gladiolus and oxeye daisy were other highlights.

[blogbirdfeather]

Shelduck - Tadorna (Tadorna tadorna)

Vila Franca de Xira/Portugal (18/05/2023)

[Nikon D500; AF-S Nikkor 500mm F5,6E PF ED VR; 1/2500s; F5,6; 400 ISO]



[dovemoulins]

burdekin duck ❤ taken at the zoo! there was a huge free flight aviary. super awesome

[rockdove2]

Crested Shelduck (Tadorna cristata)

This species was declared extinct in 1916, however sightings since have lead to some believing they survived much longer or are still alive.

In 1964, three Russian students saw 3 of these shelducks- two females and one male- with a flock of harlequin ducks, and there were further reported sightings in ‘71 and ‘85, although these are disputed.

There have been numerous unconfirmed reports, including a Chinese forest worker claiming to have shot and eaten two of them in 1984, and a Chinese bird collector recalling having attempted to shoot a female in 1983.

Due to these unconfirmed sightings, with the last confirmed sighting occurring in 1971, the Created Shelduck is not classified as extinct, but rather critically endangered. It is estimated that if this species is extant, it’s population is less than 50 individuals.

Hunting, over-collecting and habitat loss were thought to have been contributing factors to this bird’s possible extinction. However, if it is still alive, it’s population is now so low that accidental extinction is thought to be it’s biggest threat.

[noelcollection]

Things are looking up–way up–for this Common Shelduck!

The Common Sheildrake, as Jardine calls it, is a favorite maritime avian that excels in caring for its young:

“In the full adult state of this bird, from the decided markings of clear white, reddish orange, and black, it is one of our most beautiful and clean-looking ducks…When the young are hatched, they are conducted to the sea, and Mr. Selby states, are sometimes carried in the bill of the parents to their protecting element. If come upon when the young are newly hatched, the old birds endeavour to lead off the intruder by feigning lameness like some of the rasores and grallatores…” 

Images from:

Jardine, William. The naturalist’s library. Edinburgh: W.H. Lizars et al., 1843. Vol. 27. Catalog record: https://bit.ly/2Q98p8i

[plumes-merry-critters]

Early spring light makes for great duck portraits

[uk3d]

Shelduck sketch | Limited edition fine art print from an original drawing. The shelducks, most species of which are found in the genus Tadorna, are a group of large birds in the Tadorninae subfamily of the Anatidae, the biological family that includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl such as the geese and swans. My sketches start life as hand-drawn graphite images made on cartridge paper. I often work on these with charcoal, oil pastel or Caran d'Ache to create the look I'm after. The artwork is then scanned and finessed digitally ready for fine art printing. This process often referred to as Giclée printing uses the highest standard of printing methods to give gallery quality results that maintain all the details of the original sketch. The graphite pencils I use are Faber-Castel, the oil pastels are Sennelier and the china-graph is Caran d’Ache. The inks are pigment based archive quality (100years+). The heavyweight specialist papers I use are of the best professional quality having a wonderful surface designed specifically for fine art drawings and illustrations. Very limited editions with only ten per size printed. All artwork is signed and includes a certificate of authenticity. The A5 are 5.8" x 8.25" (14.8cm x 21cm) The A4 are 8.25" x 11.7" (21cm x 29.8cm) The A3 are 11.7" x 16.5" (29.8 cm x 42cm) The A2 are 16.5" x 23.4" (42 cm x 59.4cm) Frames not included in price. Free shipping on artwork to UK destinations.

[birdblues]

Ruddy Shelduck

[spinus-pinus]

Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiaca

5/21/2023 Irvine Regional Park, California

[kavohh707]

Go away!

Those shelducks were no friends.