🐦

Crested Shelduck

Tadorna cristata

Critically Endangered

Wingspan

59.8 cm

Weight

1235.0 g

Family

Anatidae

Order

Anseriformes

About

A mysterious possibly extinct shelduck known from only a handful of specimens collected in Korea and Siberia before 1916. Males had a black head with green sheen, white crest, and colorful body. No confirmed sightings since 1971. Possibly on the edge of extinction or already extinct.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value	Imperial
Wingspan	59.8 cm	23.5 in
Weight	1235.0 g	43.56 oz

Identification

Plumage

Critically rare; known from few specimens. Males dark green head with bushy crest; black and white body with chestnut flanks. Females have white facial markings and brown-barred body. Possibly extinct; last records 1964.

Habitat & Range

Historically known from coastal Korea, Siberia, and possibly Japan. Habitat preferences poorly known; specimens were collected near coasts and rivers. Possibly extinct.

🌿 Wetland

Geographic Range

Breeds across the Palearctic; winters from West Africa to South Africa. Uses the western and central Palearctic–African flyways.

Diet & Feeding

Possibly extinct; Crested Shelduck fed on seeds, aquatic plants, and invertebrates near East Asian wetlands; diet records scarce.

Conservation Status

Critically Endangered

IUCN Red List

Behavior & Breeding

Clutch Size

Sound

Song

Critically endangered; last confirmed sightings in 1971. No vocalizations reliably recorded. Presumed similar to related shelducks based on phylogeny but effectively unknown.

Taxonomy

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Anseriformes (Waterfowl)
Family	Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)
Genus	Tadorna
Species	Tadorna cristata

Distribution

Crested Shelduck has been recorded in 1 countries.

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Present Not recorded

countries highlighted

🇳🇴 Norway

External Databases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Crested Shelduck eat?

Possibly extinct; Crested Shelduck fed on seeds, aquatic plants, and invertebrates near East Asian wetlands; diet records scarce.

Where does the Crested Shelduck live?

Historically known from coastal Korea, Siberia, and possibly Japan. Habitat preferences poorly known; specimens were collected near coasts and rivers. Possibly extinct.

Is the Crested Shelduck endangered?

The Crested Shelduck has a conservation status of Critically Endangered.

What does the Crested Shelduck sound like?

Critically endangered; last confirmed sightings in 1971. No vocalizations reliably recorded. Presumed similar to related shelducks based on phylogeny but effectively unknown.

How big is the Crested Shelduck?

The Crested Shelduck has a wingspan of 59.8 cm, weight of 1235.0 g.

What order and family does the Crested Shelduck belong to?

The Crested Shelduck (Tadorna cristata) belongs to the order Anseriformes and the family Anatidae.