Tadorna cana

(Jardine & Selby, 1828)

Vernacular names
English : South African shelduck
French : Tadorne à tête grise

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Anseriformes
Family : Anatidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species grows to 66 cm for a weight of 2,2 kg, male larger than female. Black primary flight feathers, iridescent green secondary feathers. Rest of plumage mostly bright orange-chestnut. Dark grey head. Female with white face.

Range and habitat
The species occurs in southern Africa, from central Namibia to southeast Botswana to most of South Africa, including Cape of Good Hope. Lives in shallow freshwater and brackish wetlands, near grasslands and savannas.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is still quite common and safe but could be locally threatened by pollution, habitat loss and lack of suitable burrows for nesting.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

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