Australian Shelduck Pairs
Australian Shelducks are native to Australia, and are separated widely by a western and an eastern population. The
Australian Shelduck is primarily a grazing bird, and it feeds mostly in cultivated pastures, especially those closer to wetlands where the birds also dabble in water for aquatic invertebrates and underwater vegetation.
The
Australian Shelduck, like the
Common Shelduck, prefers to breed in tree cavities, but where ample cavities may be scarce they will also breed in rock crevices, rabbit burrows, or even caves. The
Australian Shelduck Hen will lay around 14 cream colored eggs per season, and she will incubate them for approximately 30-33 days. The male will spend these days of incubation defending the territory from predators. Once the ducklings hatch, they will remain with the family group for around 6 weeks and then are left to survive on their own.
