Paradise Shelduck (female)

Description:

This is a female Paradise Shelduck. In Māori they are called Pūtangitangi/Pūtakitaki and they are endemic to New Zealand. They both have rather striking plumage, exhibiting sexual dimorphism. The female has a white head and chestnut body and the male (see spotting: https://www.projectnoah.org/spottings/20... ) has a black head and barred black body.

Habitat:

Her and the male were drinking water from where the estuary flows into the sea near the end of the beach at Smails Beach, Dunedin.

Notes:

It was a reasonably cool day with cloud cover. Bit of a breeze on arrival which picked up a bit and there was a light sprinkle when leaving the beach. This pair didn't appear very bothered at us being near them. Some interesting reading from the Department of Conservation: https://www.doc.govt.nz/nature/native-an...