Ruddy Shelduck (Brahminy Duck) Tadorna ferruginea

A shelduck is a large, gooselike duck. The Ruddy Shelduck is native to Mediterranean Europe across Asia to China. They are sacred to Buddhists of Mongolia and Tibet. The male in breeding plumage (above) has a thin black ring around his neck.

The female Ruddy Shelduck (above) looks similar to the male, often smaller, but does not have a black neck-ring. She usually has a lighter head and sometimes has a white face patch in breeding plumage.

The Ruddy Shelduck (this page) looks similar to the Cape Shelduck body (see below) but the latter has a grey head (female has dark grey head with white face).

Mating pair; they like shallow water for mating.

Ruddy Shelduck ducklings (thanks to Alexandra Makhnina for the above duckling photos).