South African Shelduck
Tadorna cana (Gmelin, JF, 1789)
1.2 kgWeight
The South African shelduck or Cape shelduck (Tadorna cana) is a species of shelduck, a group of large goose-like birds in the bird family Anatidae, which includes the swans, geese and ducks.
Busiest months: October–November · Most records: South Africa, Namibia, United Kingdom
Where and when it's recorded
Busiest months: October–November · Most records: South Africa, Namibia, United Kingdom
South African Shelduck has been recorded at 102 of the 8,276 birding hotspots we track, in 10 countries and regions.
Records by month Southern Hemisphere
Where it's recorded most
- Strandfontein WTPSouth Africa731 records
- Avis DamNamibia558 records
- West Coast NPSouth Africa360 records
More places
- Wakkerstroom Wetland NR – bridge/causewaySouth Africa286 records
- Marievale Bird SanctuarySouth Africa282 records
- Rondevlei NRSouth Africa224 records
- West Coast NP – Geelbek hides vicinitySouth Africa206 records
- Gammams Water Care WorksNamibia186 records
- Wakkerstroom Wetland NRSouth Africa184 records
- Kliphoek Salt PansSouth Africa159 records
Countries and regions with the most records
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 South African shelduck or Cape shelduck (Tadorna cana) is a species of shelduck, a group of large goose-like birds in the bird family Anatidae, which includes the swans, geese and ducks. This is a common species native to southern Africa.
Excerpt from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0 · authors · Read more on Wikipedia
Questions
How big is the South African Shelduck?
The South African Shelduck weighs around 1.2 kg.
Where does the South African Shelduck live?
Its breeding range: Africa: Namibia, Botswana and South Africa. It is most often recorded in South Africa, Namibia and United Kingdom.
When is the best time to see the South African Shelduck?
At the hotspots we track, it is recorded most in October and November (Southern Hemisphere).
Is the South African Shelduck endangered?
The IUCN Red List classifies the South African Shelduck as Least Concern.
What does the South African Shelduck eat?
Main food: Omnivore.
What family is the South African Shelduck in?
It belongs to the family Ducks, Geese, Swans (Anatidae), order Anseriformes.
At a glance
- Weight
- 1.2 kg
- Habitat
- Wetland
- Diet
- Omnivore
- Lifestyle
- Active on the ground
- Migration
- Partial migrant
- Conservation
- Least Concern
More measurements
- Wing
- 345 mm
- Tail
- 110 mm
- Bill
- 53 mm
- Tarsus
- 57 mm
Averages from the AVONET dataset; length from field guides where available.
Range
Africa: Namibia, Botswana and South Africa
Breeding range, IOC World Bird List 15.2
Classification
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Ducks, Geese, Swans Anatidae
- Genus
- Tadorna
Other birds in the genus Tadorna
Common ShelduckTadorna tadorna
Ruddy ShelduckTadorna ferruginea
Australian ShelduckTadorna tadornoides
Paradise ShelduckTadorna variegata
White-faced Whistling DuckDendrocygna viduata
Black-bellied Whistling DuckDendrocygna autumnalis
Spotted Whistling DuckDendrocygna guttata
West Indian Whistling DuckDendrocygna arborea
Fulvous Whistling DuckDendrocygna bicolor
Plumed Whistling DuckDendrocygna eytoni
Download illustration
Free to use with credit: “Illustration: Bird Album (birdalbum.com)”. Drawn by AI from a reference photo by patrick-monney. ↗
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