Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
[[Category:Tadorna]] | [[Category:Tadorna]] | ||
+ | '''Alternative name: Burdekin Duck''' | ||
;[[:Category:Tadorna|Tadorna]] radjah | ;[[:Category:Tadorna|Tadorna]] radjah | ||
− | + | ||
[[Image:Radjah_Shelduck.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by RMD<br/>Location: Nhulunbuy, NT, Australia]] | [[Image:Radjah_Shelduck.jpg|thumb|550px|right|Photo by RMD<br/>Location: Nhulunbuy, NT, Australia]] |
Revision as of 17:43, 1 November 2008
Alternative name: Burdekin Duck
- Tadorna 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.
The Radjah Shelduck is listed as a protected bird in all states of Australia
Distribution
New Guinea and Australia
Taxonomy
This bird is placed in the genus Tadorna, it differs markedly in external morphology, and mtDNA cytochrome b sequence data (Sraml et al. 1996) suggests its status should be reinvestigated.
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. Diet: molluscs, insects, sedge materials and algae.
Nesting: Pairs start searching for nesting sites during the months of January and February. They nest close to their primary food source.
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.