Alternative Names (Synonyms)

Names for newly-hatched

Names for non-breeding males or other colour-phases

References

Species Author

Major References

Aviculture references:
J23.13.w7
B7, B29, B31, B40, B94, B95, B96, B97, B128.w1, B128.w2, B129, B139
D1, D8

Other References

TAXA Group (where information has been collated for an entire group on a modular basis)

Parent Group

• Waterfowl
• Shelducks

Specific Needs Group referenced in Management Techniques

• Aggressive Birds (Category 1.) (D1)

Aviculture Information

Notes

• Shelducks are generally hardy. Their pen should contain short grass for grazing, and they appreciate a degree of cover. Minimum enclosure size suggested for a pair of shelduck is 100 square metres.
• They tend to be aggressive particularly in the breeding season, and may even kill small ducks, and a separate enclosure is usually required. There is some species-based and individual variation in degree of aggression.
• Most species prefer to use a partially-buried nest box with a tunnel entrance, usually in the form of a drain pipe. A suggested nest box size is 12x12x14 inches (30x30x40cm), with a six inch (15cm) diameter entrance tunnel drain pipe, or 6x6 inches (15x15cm) square entrance tunnel, minimum 12 inches (30cm) long. Ground-level nest boxes with a six-inch (15cm) diameter entrance hole may also be used.

(B29, B40, B94, B128.w1, B139, D1)

Species-specific information:

• Ruddy shelducks are winter-hardy. Their management is not difficult, but a separate enclosure is suggested for the breeding season, as they are aggressive, particularly while rearing ducklings; several pairs may be kept as a group on very large areas. Cover in the pen is appreciated. Feed wheat, pellets, greenfood, grass, bread: plenty of green food to supplement grass.
• These shelducks are commonly bred. Burrow-type nest boxes with a drainpipe entrance should be provided. They may also raised nest box or hollow log, kennel, wigwam or possibly a surface-level box. Eggs are usually laid from mid-March to May. These shelducks are usually reliable incubators and excellent parents, with both parents defending ducklings from predators. The ducklings are not difficult to rear; plenty of green food (e.g. duckweed, lettuce) should be provided as well as starter crumbs, with access to grazing from an early age. Broody hens have been used, and Alopochen aegyptiacus - Egyptian goose used as a foster.
• Hybridisation may occur with other Tadorna species, and has been reported with Alopochen aegyptiacus - Egyptian goose, Branta leucopsis - Barnacle goose and other goose species, and large Anas spp.

(B7, B29, B31, B40, B94, B95, B96, B97, B128.w2, B129, D1).

Aviornis UK Ringing Scheme recommended average closed ring size: N 13.0mm (D8).

Management Techniques

Measurement & Weight

Head

Legs

Plumage

Head and neck usually paler chestnut/buff; black ring base of neck (variable), underparts and upperparts chestnut, with tail and rump black.

Wings have white coverts, chestnut tertials, metallic green secondaries, black primaries.

Newly-hatched Characteristics

Nest placement and structure

Egg clutches

Incubation

Hatching

Fledging

Sexual Maturity

Feeding Behaviour

Parental Behaviour

Stay with parents usually into winter.

Social Behaviour

Sexual Behaviour

Predation in Wild

Activity Patterns

Adults

Newly-hatched

Distribution and Movement (Migration etc.)

Spain, south-east Europe eastward to Lake Baikal and Mongolia; north-west Africa, Ethiopian highlands.

Some populations sedentary or dispersive depending on water availability. Asian population moves south to India and South-east Asia, small numbers to Japan. Also movements to Nile valley.

Accidental across Europe: to Iceland, Britain, Ireland, Portugal, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Austria, Switzerland, Italy, Yugoslavia, Malta, Libya, Madeira.

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Habitat

Intraspecific variation

Conservation Status

Not considered threatened, although numbers have declined in western areas (B1).

Captive Populations

Trade