The common shelduck is a waterfowl species in the shelduck genus Tadorna, in the family Anatidae, formally described by Carl Linnaeus in 1758 and monotypic, with no recognized subspecies. It resembles a small goose, measuring 55 to 65 centimeters in length with a 100 to 120 centimeter wingspan, and shows a white body with chestnut patches, a black belly, a dark green head and neck, and a reddish pink bill and pink feet; breeding males have crisper coloring and a knob at the base of the bill, while females are slightly smaller. The species is widespread and common across the Palearctic, in Europe and northwest Africa, breeding mainly on temperate coasts, saline pools and estuaries, and since the mid twentieth century it has expanded significantly into freshwater wetlands beyond its traditional coastal range. Asian populations migrate seasonally while European birds are largely resident. The IUCN lists the common shelduck as Least Concern.
Facts
Scientific Name Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Classification
System (Realm) Living or Extinct Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Anatidae, Taxa Source GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Tadorna tadorna
In Biome
Source Common shelduck (Wikipedia)
In Ecosystem
Source Common shelduck (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Sources
1. EltonTraits 1.0 (Wilman et al. 2014)
2. Common shelduck (Wikipedia)
Infobox: status
LC
Introduction
The common shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) is a waterfowl species of the shelduck genus Tadorna. It is widespread and common in the Palearctic, in Europe and northwest Africa mainly breeding on temperate coasts, saline pools and estuaries, and in Asia on inland salt lakes; increasingly it is also using open freshwater habitats inland.
In Biome: Estuary, lead paragraph (habitat biome), EntityId 362721, target B268362
It is widespread and common in the Palearctic, in Europe and northwest Africa mainly breeding on temperate coasts, saline pools and estuaries, and in Asia on inland salt lakes; increasingly it is also using open freshwat
In Ecosystem: Wadden Sea, Distribution and habitat
Asian populations migrate to subtropical areas in winter, south to northern India and southern China, but this species is largely resident in Europe, apart Scandinavian and some eastern European populations which migrate southwest, and from movements to favoured late summer moulting grounds, such as the Wadden Sea on the north German coast.
View the Source3. Common shelduck (Wikidata)
WikidataStatements section, conservation status (P141)Quote, Statements section, conservation status (P141)
Wikidata Q25761: least concern (P141).
4. UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat): Species+: Tadorna tadorna
UNEP-WCMC Species+ database (CITES Secretariat)Species+ taxon_concepts, id 6577Quote, Species+ taxon_concepts, id 6577
"rank":"SPECIES","name_status":"A","updated_at":"2026-05-06T11:22:56.043Z","active":true,"cites_listing":"NC"
5. Wikipedia: Common shelduck
Wikipedia- Scientific Name: Tadorna tadorna
6. Ecological Society of America, Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014): EltonTraits 1.0 bird functional traits (BirdFuncDat)
Ecological Society of America, Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014)Row: tadorna tadorna
634 Nonpasseriformes Anseriformes Anatidae "Ducks, geese and swans" 14 BL3 Tadorna tadorna Common Shelduck 70 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 10 Invertebrate Ref_1 A Jennifer 0 90 10 0 0 0 0 0 Ref_1 1 Other 0 1146.83 Dunning08 1
BirdFuncDat.txt row Tadorna tadorna, Nocturnal column
Tadorna tadorna Common Shelduck 70 0 0 20 0 0 0 0 0 10 Invertebrate Ref_1 A Jennifer 0 90 10 0 0 0 0 0 Ref_1 1 Other 0
View the Source 7. AnAge, Human Ageing Genomic Resources: AnAge entry for Tadorna tadorna
AnAge, Human Ageing Genomic ResourcesLifespan, ageing, and relevant traits: Maximum longevityQuote, Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits: Maximum longevity
Maximum longevity 24.8 years (wild)
GBIF Backbone Taxonomy: Tadorna tadorna
GBIF Backbone TaxonomyChild Taxon Of: Anatidae, Taxon recordQuote, Child Taxon Of: Anatidae, Taxon record
"family": "Anatidae"
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.
Sign in to dispute this or suggest a correction.