South African Shelduck
Tadorna cana
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<birdfyi-bird slug="tadorna-cana"></birdfyi-bird>The South African Shelduck (Tadorna cana) is a bird species in the family Anatidae (enten, gänse und schwäne), within the order Anseriformes (wasservögel). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 69 cm and a weight of 1.3 kg. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.
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Über uns
A large shelduck with a grey head in males or white-and-grey head with white facial patches in females, orange-brown body, and white wing coverts. Endemic to southern Africa. Common on inland freshwater and saline lakes across South Africa's interior plateau.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Flügelspannweite | 69,0 cm | 27.2 in |
| Gewicht | 1323,6666666666667 g | 46.69 oz |
Identifizierung
Gefieder
Males have gray head and neck; rufous-brown body with white wing coverts and green speculum. Females similar but with white facial markings around bill and eye. Body rich rufous-chestnut. Endemic to southern Africa.
Habitat & Range
Inland freshwater and saline lakes, pans, dams, and rivers across southern Africa, primarily on the South African plateau, Lesotho, and Namibia. Nests in burrows dug by aardvark. Highly terrestrial for a shelduck.
Geografisches Verbreitungsgebiet
Breeds in subarctic Eurasia and winters in sub-Saharan Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast Asia.
Diet & Feeding
Eats seeds, aquatic plants, and invertebrates; dabbles in shallow water; diet more invertebrate-heavy in breeding season.
Erhaltungsstatus
Verhalten & Brutverhalten
Nistverhalten
Nest type: CV,BU. Incubation: 30 days. Fledging: 60-75 days.
Gelegegröße
4-11
Lautgebung
Gesang
Male gives a whistled 'wheeu'; female gives a harsh, descending cackle. Calls from South African wetlands and vleis. Sexual dimorphism in call is strong.
Taxonomie
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Ordnung | Anseriformes (Wasservögel) |
| Familie | Anatidae (Enten, Gänse und Schwäne) |
| Genus | Tadorna |
| Arten | Tadorna cana |
Distribution
South African Shelduck has been recorded in 7 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Häufig gestellte Fragen
What does the South African Shelduck eat?
Where does the South African Shelduck live?
Is the South African Shelduck endangered?
How does the South African Shelduck nest?
What does the South African Shelduck sound like?
How big is the South African Shelduck?
What order and family does the South African Shelduck belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Anatidae family