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

White and green wing feathers visible in flight

Comparison with Fulvous Whistling Duck (keeping well clear)

They are cantankerous in the breeding season

 Link to

 Egyptian goose

 a similar-sized water-bird with similar-coloured ruddy plumage

 and white/green/black wings

 but different eye/neck markings

 and pink bill and legs

Link to

Cape shelduck