The Australian Shelduck (Tadorna tadornoides) is a gorgeous water bird. Its black head is separated from its beautiful chestnut coloured breast by a white ring, making it one of the easiest recognisable duck species in our wetlands. Shelducks are true wanderers, travelling long distances between the coastal lakes and estuaries and the inland Wheatbelt, however, some stay to breed in the metropolitan area during the winter months, such as this couple at the banks of Lake Herdsman. They pair for life, and the white eye-ringed female is constantly guarded by a watchful male – true love.
What beautiful ducks -so sweet! We have a pair of black bellied whistling ducks at our pond lately. They pair for life too. I love seeing them waddle up to eat some birdseed under the feeder.
Nice! Their cuteness is so touching!
Great to see a birdspecies in which the female doesn’t have drab plumage!