### **South African Shelduck (*Tadorna cana*)**
Identification
This is a sturdy, goose-like duck with a regal upright stance. Measuring roughly 64cm, it is dominated by a rich, cinnamon-orange body and a coal-black tail. The sexual dimorphism is your best field mark: the male sports a smooth, unblemished ash-grey head, while the female is more striking, featuring a white face and large white "spectacles" around the eyes, often bleeding into a greyish crown. In flight, look for the massive white wing coverts and a shimmering bottle-green speculum—a flash of color that distinguishes it from the smaller Egyptian Goose.
Habitat & Range
Endemic to Southern Africa, this shelduck is a specialist of the open country. You’ll find them most frequently in the arid Karoo and the grassy Highveld of South Africa, extending into Namibia and Botswana. Unlike many waterfowl, they aren't restricted to lush wetlands; they are perfectly at home on brackish salt pans, farm dams, and even dry grain fields far from the water’s edge.
Behaviour
Wary and vocal, the South African Shelduck is often heard before it is seen. Listen for the male’s deep, nasal *“how-do”* call. During the breeding season, pairs are fiercely territorial, but they undergo a fascinating social shift post-breeding. Thousands will congregate on deep, permanent water bodies to molt, rendering them flightless and vulnerable for several weeks—a spectacular sight for any patient observer with a spotting scope.
Diet
They are opportunistic omnivores. On land, they graze like geese on succulent green grass and grain. In the water, they "up-end" to filter-feed on insect larvae, crustaceans, and softened plant matter from the benthos.
Fascinating Fact
Despite being waterbirds, they are subterranean nesters! They don't build nests in reeds; instead, they commandeer abandoned Aardvark or Springhare burrows. The female may lay her eggs up to nine feet underground, and the ducklings must perform a "leap of faith" to reach the surface once they hatch.