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Paradise Shelduck

Tadorna variegata

Least Concern
Flügelspannweite
70,2 cm
Gewicht
1569,5 g
Familie
Anatidae
Ordnung
Anseriformes

The Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata) is a bird species in the family Anatidae (enten, gänse und schwäne), within the order Anseriformes (wasservögel). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 70.2 cm and a weight of 1.6 kg. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.

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Über uns

New Zealand's most colorful duck with strong sexual dimorphism: males have dark greenish-black body; females are strikingly white-headed with chestnut body. Endemic and common. Found across New Zealand's grasslands, farmland, and wetlands. A significant game species traditionally harvested by Māori.

Physical Description

Measurement Value Imperial
Flügelspannweite 70,2 cm 27.6 in
Gewicht 1569,5 g 55.36 oz

Identifizierung

Gefieder

Extreme dimorphism. Males have black head with green gloss and black-and-chestnut body. Females have pure white head and neck contrasting with rich chestnut-rufous body. Both show white wing patches. New Zealand endemic.

Habitat & Range

Open farmland, grassland, lake shores, riverbeds, and wetlands throughout both main islands of New Zealand. Nests in caves, burrows, hollow trees, and dense vegetation. Highly territorial in the breeding season.

Erhaltungsstatus

Least Concern
IUCN Red List

Verhalten & Brutverhalten

Nistverhalten

Incubation: 32-33 days. Fledging: 55-65 days.

Gelegegröße

5-15

Lautgebung

Gesang

Male gives a high-pitched whistle; female gives a loud, harsh cackling call 'rak-rak-rak'. New Zealand's only endemic shelduck; calls echoing in open farmland are distinctive.

Taxonomie

Kingdom Animalia
Phylum Chordata
Class Aves
Ordnung Anseriformes (Wasservögel)
Familie Anatidae (Enten, Gänse und Schwäne)
Genus Tadorna
Arten Tadorna variegata

Distribution

Paradise Shelduck has been recorded in 6 countries.

Vorhanden Not recorded

countries highlighted

External Databases

Häufig gestellte Fragen

Where does the Paradise Shelduck live?
Open farmland, grassland, lake shores, riverbeds, and wetlands throughout both main islands of New Zealand. Nests in caves, burrows, hollow trees, and dense vegetation. Highly territorial in the breeding season.
Is the Paradise Shelduck endangered?
The Paradise Shelduck has a conservation status of Least Concern.
How does the Paradise Shelduck nest?
Incubation: 32-33 days. Fledging: 55-65 days.
What does the Paradise Shelduck sound like?
Male gives a high-pitched whistle; female gives a loud, harsh cackling call 'rak-rak-rak'. New Zealand's only endemic shelduck; calls echoing in open farmland are distinctive.
How big is the Paradise Shelduck?
The Paradise Shelduck has a wingspan of 70.2 cm, weight of 1569.5 g.
What order and family does the Paradise Shelduck belong to?
The Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata) belongs to the order Anseriformes and the family Anatidae.

Similar Birds

Other species in the Anatidae family

Vergleichen

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