Alternative name: Burdekin Duck
- Radjah radjah
Identification
Both the male and female are mostly white, with dark wingtips and a distinctive "collar" of dark feathers. These birds have green bands on the tops of their wings. The female has a harsh rattle and the male has a whistle.[2]
The Radjah Shelduck is listed as a protected bird in all states of Australia [2]
Distribution
New Guinea and Australia
Taxonomy
This bird was placed in the genus Tadorna, but it differs markedly in external morphology, and mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data (Sraml et al. 1996) suggests its status was reinvestigated.[2]
Subspecies
There are two subspecies1
- R. r. radjah
- Moluccas to New Guinea
- R. r. rufitergum
- Northern and eastern coastal Australia
Habitat
Mangrove forests and coastline
Behaviour
The Radjah Shelduck forms long-term pair-bonds, and is usually encountered in lone pairs or small flocks. During the wet season the males commonly become very irritable, and have been observed attacking their mates.[2]
Diet
Molluscs, insects, sedge materials and algae.
Breeding
Pairs start searching for nesting sites during the months of January and February. They nest close to their primary food source.[2]
Its nesting materials is self-supplied down feathers. Egg-laying is usually done by May or June; the clutches range from 6 to 12 eggs. Incubation time is about 30 days.[2]
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2017. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2017, with updates to August 2017. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Avianweb
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Radjah Shelduck. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 14 May 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Radjah_Shelduck
External Links
GSearch checked for 2020 platform.
