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Common shelduck

Tadorna tadorna

Description:

The Common Shelduck resembles a small short-necked goose in size and shape. It is a striking bird, with a reddish-pink bill, pink feet, a white body with chestnut patches and a black belly, and a dark green head and neck. The wing coverts are white, the primary remiges black, and the secondaries green (only showing in flight) and chestnut. The underwings are almost entirely white. Sexes are similar, but the female is smaller, with some white facial markings, while the male is particularly crisply colored in the breeding season, his bill bright red and bearing a prominent knob at the forehead. Ducklings are white, with black cap, hindneck and wing and back patches. Juveniles are similarly colored, greyish above and mostly white below, but already have the adult's wing pattern. The call is a loud honk.

Notes:

Photographed at Lagos Zoo.

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Dangermouse
Spotted by
Dangermouse

Algarve, Portugal

Spotted on May 12, 2012
Submitted on May 20, 2012

Spotted for Mission

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