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Psilos Wildfowl Photography |
Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) |
Despite being native to areas of northwest Africa,
Turkey and Iraq this duck has recently been found breeding in this country.
It has also been known to pair up with the Eygptian goose, another non
native species. This bird is smaller than a goose and breeds beside
rivers and saline lakes in open country. In winter on slow-flowing rivers
and shallow lowland lakes. Its diet consists of aquation vegetation,
insects and invertebrates. It is becoming increasingly threatened from
wetland loss, degredation and hunting. |
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Plumages between the sexes are very similar.
As with most species of shelduck the female has more white on the face.
The female also appears to be alot more vocal as shown in the photo
below. |
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