Common Shelduck

The Common Shelduck is a striking large duck with distinctive black and white plumage. It has a dark green head, a broad chestnut band across the chest, and a red bill with a prominent knob at the base in males.

Females are similar but slightly smaller and lack the bill knob, and they also show some white facial markings around the base of the bill in contrast to the solid glossy black-green of the male.

Juveniles have a duller plumage with a brown back and lack the chestnut band. In flight, both sexes display conspicuous white wing coverts and black flight feathers.

Common Shelducks inhabit coastal areas, estuaries, and inland lakes across Europe and Asia. They prefer shallow waters with muddy bottoms and adjacent short grassland or bare ground for foraging and nesting.

In the UK, they are widespread along the coast, with large concentrations in estuaries. During winter, many European birds migrate to the Mediterranean and North Africa, while some populations in milder areas remain resident year-round.

For almost guaranteed UK sightings, head to north-west England in winter, where around 10,000 shelducks can be seen gathering on the muddy estuaries of the Dee and Mersey rivers.