Specie's Page                                               Water Fowl - Shelducks

Shelduck:     UK Status: Resident, re-enforced during the winter by an influx of over wintering migrants.

Habitat: This chunky duck is larger than the Mallard, but smaller than a goose. They can be found in largish pools, lakes, reservoirs, flooded gravel pits, river estuaries and quite often in the sea near to the shore. They like the banks around the water to be flat and with a muddy, sandy or gravel surface for feeding.

Breeding: Shelduck is of concern at the moment, as their numbers appear to be declining year, by year. This bird nests in old rabbit burrows, hollow tree trunks, haystacks, and other such hideaways. As rabbits in the distant past were a human source of food, Shelduck were persecuted for competing with the rabbits.

Sexing: There is a difference between male and female Shelducks, although not immediately apparent. Males have a large red knob on their face, just above the beak, females lack this knob. The picture of the pair of Shelducks is great for a comparison.

Comment: Probably most common around the coast line of the British Isles, but found quite often inland.

 

BE AWARE PLEASE:  Ground nesting birds are very vulnerable to having their eggs and chicks smashed or crushed. This can happen when people are unaware of their presence, or when dogs are allowed to run loose during the breeding season. Nests are very well hidden, and are not usually spotted until it's to late. Dogs often have no concern for ground nesting birds, please keep them on their leads from April through to the end of September.