The male Common Shelduck has a dark glossy green head and neck. The lower neck and upper breast are white with a chestnut brown band around the breast and mantle, a white back, the underside is mostly white and the wings have black primary and secondary feathers with white forewings. The beak is red with a conspicuous knob on the upper base, and the legs are pink.
The female is similar but is smaller, duller, a narrow chestnut band around the breast, and does not have the knob on its beak.
Typical Adult is 50-60cm (20-23.5in).
Molluscs, crabs, crustaceans, algae, grasses, roots, seeds.
Estuaries, coastlines, and salt marshes. The Common Shelduck is widespread in the UK and north-west Europe where it is largely resident although most of the UK population migrates to Germany (Heligoland Bight), then through the Balkans and across into Asia to northern China. Winters in the south of Spain, the Mediterranean Sea, North Africa, Pakistan, northern India, Nepal, south-eastern China, and South Korea.
Early May onwards.
7 to 12 (creamy white colour) incubated by female only.
River Cottage's collection of Shelducks changes regularly. Please visit us regularly to keep up-to-date with our flock
Click the button above to add a pair of European/Common Shelducks to 'My Enquiries' which is available at the top of each page, and similar to a 'basket' on an ecommerce website!
Note: All birds are subject to availability and we reserve the right to alter prices as the market and our costs dictate. Viewing is strictly by appointment. Please contact us for futher details
