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Radjah Shelduck

(Tadorna radjah)
Alternative names: "White-headed Shelduck", "Burdekin Duck", "Mangrove Duck"
Size: 49-61 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Radjah Shelducks are tropical ducks. They are found in the tropical north of the NT and at Cape York, occasionally also further south along the east coast of QLD (to about the area of Bundaberg).

Radjah Shelducks usually stay in coastal wetlands, including mangrove and other swamps, but also flooded or muddy areas inland.

Sightings

We spotted one Radjah Shelduck sitting on the bank of a river in the Northern Territory in 1997.

L. and B. Booth report sighting a male Radjah Shelduck in Darwin, NT, in July 2011. All photos below of a bird in the wild were kindly contributed by L. and B. Booth.

Photos

Frontal view of a male Radjah Shelduck (photo courtesy of L. & B. Booth)

Lateral view of the same bird as above (photo courtesy of L. & B. Booth)

Slightly different viewing angle (photo courtesy of L. & B. Booth)

Dorsal view (photo courtesy of L. & B. Booth)

Frontal view in different light conditions (photo courtesy of L. & B. Booth)

The same bird as above, now seen resting (photo courtesy of L. & B. Booth)

Pair of Radjah Shelduck (in captivity); the male is foraging under water, the female is seen on the left

These pages are largely based on our own observations. For more salient facts on any bird species please refer to a field guide.