Australian shelduck facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Australian shelduck |
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Tadorna
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| Species: |
tadornoides
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The Australian shelduck is a type of bird known for its beautiful colors. People also call it the chestnut-breasted shelduck or mountain duck. It belongs to a group of birds called shelducks, which are part of the larger Anatidae family (this family includes ducks, geese, and swans). The name Tadorna comes from an old Celtic word meaning "pied waterfowl," which describes birds with patches of different colors. These birds are protected by law in Australia.
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Discovering the Australian Shelduck
The Australian shelduck was first officially described in 1828. Two naturalists, William Jardine and Prideaux John Selby, were the ones who gave it its scientific name. This helped scientists around the world learn more about this unique bird.
What Does the Australian Shelduck Look Like?
Australian shelducks are quite striking! The male birds are mostly dark in color. They have a beautiful chestnut-colored chest. Their heads are a dark green, and they have a clear white ring around their neck.
The female shelducks look similar to the males. However, they are a bit smaller. You can tell a female apart because she has white feathers around her eyes. When both male and female shelducks fly, you can see a bright white patch on their wings.
Where Do Australian Shelducks Live?
The Australian shelduck mainly lives and raises its young in southern Australia. You can also find them in Tasmania. They are still quite common in these areas.
When winter arrives, many of these birds travel further north. They move away from their breeding grounds to find warmer places. Like other shelducks, this species has special places where they go to molt. Moulting is when birds shed their old feathers and grow new ones. Large groups of Australian shelducks gather at places like Lake George in New South Wales for this.
Their favorite homes are lakes in open areas. They are very careful and shy birds. Australian shelducks build their nests in hidden spots. They often choose holes in trees or holes dug into riverbanks. A female shelduck usually lays between eight and fifteen eggs. She then sits on them for about 30 to 33 days until they hatch.
See also
In Spanish: Tarro australiano para niños
