Australian ShelduckScientific name: Tadorna tadornoides
Meaning of name: Tadorna is an Italian word for duck. The Greek suffix –oides, meaning like, makes tadornoides duck-like.
Aboriginal name: Koorak (koo’rark).
Distribution: Occurs in southwestern and southeastern Australia.
Description: Up to 72cm long with a wingspan of 132cm.
Notes: The furthest distance recorded by the Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme for this species of bird to travel is 1,106km. The oldest bird recorded was recovered 13 years 1.4 months after being banded (information as at 14 June 2012).
References: Handbook of Australian, New Zealand and Antarctic Birds. Various contributors.
What Bird is That? Neville W Cayley. 1978
Aboriginal names of bird species in south-west Western Australia, with suggestions for their adoption into common usage. Ian Abbott. 2009. Conservation Science Western Australia Journal. Volume 7 No 2 http://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/about-us/science-and-research/76-publications-and-resources/103-conservation-science-wa-journal
Australian Bird and Bat Banding Scheme http://www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/science/abbbs/abbbs-search.html
Female birds have white markings around the eyes and bill. This photograph was not taken in the reserves of interest to FQPB. Photograph courtesy of Gary Tate.
