Paradise shelduck – Tadorna variegata

The paradise shelduck is a bird of the Anatidae family.

It is the emblematic bird of New Zealand and it lives only over there. This beautiful bird was discovered by Captain Cook in 1773 and was then named “painted duck.”

The adult male has dark gray body, finely barred with light brown. It keeps the same color throughout the year, even after moulting. The head is black with green highlights. The beak is dark gray, the eyes are brown and legs and webbed feet are blackish.

The clearing of forests for pasture has served the paradise shelduck. This species is widespread in most of its range.

The predators are ermine and polecats, threatening some local populations.

Its lifetime is estimated at 23 years.