Common Shelduck Identification Guide

The Common Shelduck is the largest of the surface-feeding ducks. It is larger than the Mallard.

It has a massive body with a long neck and rather long legs.

Its plumage is multicolored.

The head is dark green, the bill is red, and the body is white with some black and a reddish-brown breast band.

In flight, the wings are very contrasting (black, white, green, and reddish). From a distance, they appear black and white.

Males and females look alike, but the male has a bill with a larger and brighter frontal knob.

The female's plumage is also a bit duller and less distinct.

The juveniles are gray-brown and white with a white face.

In the Common Shelduck, the male emits whistles consisting of brief "pyu-pu" whistles and high-pitched, fluty "sliss sliss".

The female makes a loud nasal call "ga ga ga ga ga ga ga" (often given in flight).

Here, you can hear the high-pitched, fluty whistles of the males and the louder, nasal calls of the females.

In this excerpt, you can again hear a mix of high-pitched, fluty whistles of the males and the louder, nasal calls of the females.

The Common Shelduck is very sociable.

In flight, its wings sometimes appear arched.

This species undertakes a molt migration in July along the German coasts of the North Sea. When it is finished, they return to their home country.

The Common Shelduck builds its nest in an old rabbit or fox burrow or simply on the ground, in vegetation.

It is a simple depression lined with down.

The young are recognized by their contrasting plumage. They are often grouped in "creches."

The Common Shelduck feeds in shallow water in mudflats or fields.

It eats mollusks and crustaceans…

But also aquatic insects and plants in dunes.

The Common Shelduck is found mainly along coasts (marine, sandy, muddy) and sometimes along rivers and lakes with little vegetation.

It is resident along the coasts of Western Europe.

Populations in the north and east migrate south in winter.

It can live for about sixteen years.