Paradise Shelduck

Tadorna variegata (Gmelin, JF, 1789)

1.5 kgWeight

The paradise shelduck (Tadorna variegata), also known as the paradise duck, or pūtangitangi in Māori, is a species of shelduck, a group of goose-like ducks, which is endemic to New Zealand.

Busiest months: November · Most records: New Zealand, Australia

Least Concern

Where and when it's recorded

Busiest months: November · Most records: New Zealand, Australia

Paradise Shelduck has been recorded at 116 of the 8,276 birding hotspots we track, in 2 countries and regions.

Records by month Southern Hemisphere

Where it's recorded most

Zealandia Te Mara a Tane Wildlife SanctuaryNew Zealand833 records
Christchurch – Botanic GardensNew Zealand769 records
Tawharanui Regional ParkNew Zealand714 records

More places

Mangere WTP – Puketutu CanalNew Zealand598 records
Lake ElterwaterNew Zealand577 records
Dunedin – Tomahawk LagoonNew Zealand550 records
St Anne's Lagoon/Mata KopaeNew Zealand468 records
Christchurch – Travis Wetland/ŌruapaeroaNew Zealand459 records
Travis Wetland – New PondNew Zealand441 records
Stewart Island – Oban & Halfmoon BayNew Zealand439 records

Countries and regions with the most records

New Zealand Australia

eBird records via GBIF up to 2024-12-31. A record means someone listed it; more records partly mean more birders, not more birds.

About

The paradise shelduck (Tadorna variegata), also known as the paradise duck, or pūtangitangi in Māori, is a species of shelduck, a group of goose-like ducks, which is endemic to New Zealand. Johann Friedrich Gmelin placed it in the genus Anas with the ducks, geese, and swans. Both the male and female have striking plumages: the male has a black head and barred black body and the female has a white head with a chestnut body.

Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia