Tadorna cana
The South African Shelduck, *Tadorna cana*, is a striking and robust waterfowl species endemic to Southern Africa, characterized by its ash-grey body, rich rufous flanks, and contrasting head patterns. Males boast a pale grey head with a distinctive rust-colored cap, while females exhibit a crisp white head adorned with a black cap and a prominent black line running from the eye to the bill. Measuring approximately 61-69 cm (24-27 in) in length and weighing 1.3-2 kg (2.9-4.4 lbs), these sheld...
Primarily inhabits open grasslands, Karoo shrublands, and fynbos, always in close proximity to freshwater wetlands, dams, rivers, and sometimes estuaries, found from sea level up to 2,000 meters.
Feeds primarily on herbaceous vegetation, including grasses, sedges, leaves, and seeds, supplemented with aquatic invertebrates such as insect larvae and crustaceans, obtained by grazing on land and dabbling in shallow water.
South African Shelducks are diurnal, spending their days foraging and resting. Outside the breeding season, they are gregarious, forming large flocks of hundreds or even thousands at favored molting and feeding sites. During the breeding season, pairs become intensely territorial, aggressively de...
The South African Shelduck is largely endemic to the Southern African subregion, with its primary range spanning across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho, and Eswatini. It is most abundant in the semi-arid grasslands of the Karoo and the higher elevations of the Highveld regions within Sou...
Least Concern
- Often colloquially known as the 'Cape Shelduck' due to its prevalence in the Western Cape region of South Africa. - It is the only true shelduck species endemic to Southern Africa, making it a unique regional specialty. - One of the few duck species globally that regularly nests underground, ut...