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The Common Shelduck


The Common Shelduck
Photo Information
Copyright: Gert Paassen (Gert-Paassen) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1200 W: 2 N: 4530] (13712)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2007-04-20
Categories: Birds
Exposure: f/6.3
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-04-27 5:51
Viewed: 637
Points: 18
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
latin name - Tadorna tadorna

The Common Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) is a widespread and common duck of the Genus Tadorna. Fossil bones from Dorkovo (Bulgaria) described as Balcanas pliocaenica may actually belong to this species. More likely, they are an extinct species of Tadorna (if not a distinct genus) due to their Early Pliocene age; the present species is not unequivocally attested from the fossil record until some 2-3 million years later (Late Pliocene/Early Pleistocene.

Tadorna comes from Celtic roots and means "pied waterfowl", essentially the same as the English "shelduck.

The gooselike Common Shelduck is a striking bird with its red bill, white and chestnut body, dark green head and neck. Sexes are similar, but the female is duller. The male has a swollen red bill knob in the breeding season.

The call is a loud honk.

This is a bird which breeds in temperate Eurasia. Most populations migrate to subtropical areas in winter, but this species is largely resident in westernmost Europe, apart from movements to favoured moulting grounds, such as the Wadden Sea on the north German coast.

The Common Shelduck is common around the coastline of Great Britain (where it is simply known as Shelduck), where it frequents salt marshes and estuaries.
Moulting flocks can be very large (100,000 on the Wadden Sea), since most pairs leave their partially grown young in a crèche with just one or two adults.

This species is mainly associated with lakes and rivers in open country, breeding in rabbit burrows, tree holes, haystacks or similar. In winter it is common on suitable estuaries and tidal mudflats as well.

This bird is one of the species to which the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies.
gerbilratz, ellis49, Jamesp, vanderschelden, nglen, jaycee, CeltickRanger, mariki has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Excellent Gert, great colours, details and a wonderful pose. Fine composition and TFS regards h

Hi Gert,
you have catch a beautiful duck, the colours are lovley.
The head is maybe a bit UE but it's not easy with this duck,
so in over all you did well with the exposure.
Well composed, good POV and fine sharp details.
Well done.

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1351 W: 0 N: 5494] (16522)
  • [2008-04-27 7:19]

Hi Gert

One of my mot favourite ducks - great pose, good detail plus habitat displayed well.

James

Hallo Gert,
Goed gedaan. Mooi beest.
Groeten
Annick

Hi Gert,

Just marking today and be back later...

Pekka

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-04-27 15:30]

Hi Gert,

The Shelduck is not common to me at all. Beautiful profile shot of him standing in the water. Wonderful colors - I love the combination of brown, black, and white - and the red bill is amazing. Lookd wonderful in this natural setting.

Jane

hello Gert

excellent shot of the Common Shelduck, with fine POV, DOF and framing,
excellent sharpness and details of the duck and his plumage, TFS

Asbed

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2904 W: 34 N: 8600] (32056)
  • [2008-04-28 11:43]

Hi Gert. I have yet to see one so thanks for posting. i like the way the colours have line to them. he looks like he has been painted. with good detail and colours. interesting notes .well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • mariki Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1060 W: 61 N: 2306] (9467)
  • [2008-04-28 23:25]

Hello Gert,

Beautiful picture of this duck. Lovely composition. Excellent POV, DOF and good sharpness. Great light and colours.
Cheers,
Mariki

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