Species names in all available languages
| Language | Common name |
|---|---|
| Afrikaans | Kopereend |
| Asturian | Coriñn sudafricanu |
| Catalan | ànec sud-africà |
| Croatian | kapska utva |
| Czech | husice šedohlavá |
| Danish | Sydafrikansk Gravand |
| Dutch | Kaapse Casarca |
| English | South African Shelduck |
| English (United States) | South African Shelduck |
| Finnish | kapinsorsa |
| French | Tadorne à tête grise |
| French (France) | Tadorne à tête grise |
| German | Kapgans |
| Greek | Νοτιοαφρικανική Καστανόπαπια |
| Hebrew | קזרקה דרום-אפריקנית |
| Hungarian | Szürkefejű ásólúd |
| Icelandic | Trafönd |
| Italian | Casarca del Sudafrica |
| Japanese | ネズミガシラツクシガモ |
| Lithuanian | Pilkagalvė urvinė antis |
| Norwegian | kapprustand |
| Polish | kazarka szarogłowa |
| Portuguese (Portugal) | Tadorna-do-cabo |
| Romanian | Călifar sud-african |
| Russian | Сероголовый огарь |
| Serbian | Kapska utva |
| Slovak | kazarka sivohlavá |
| Spanish | Tarro Sudafricano |
| Spanish (Spain) | Tarro sudafricano |
| Swedish | gråhuvad rostand |
| Turkish | Gri Başlı Angıt |
| Ukrainian | Огар сіроголовий |
Revision Notes
This account is part of the 8th edition of Roberts Birds of Southern Africa. This project is a joint collaboration between the John Voelcker Bird Book Fund and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. David G. Allan revised the account. Peter Pyle contributed to the Plumages, Molts, and Structure page. Peter F. D. Boesman contributed to the Sounds and Vocal Behaviors page. Arnau Bonan Barfull curated the media. Huy C. Truong revised the distribution map. Qwahn Kent copyedited the account. Guy M. Kirwan reviewed the account.
Tadorna cana (Gmelin, 1789)
Definitions
- TADORNA
- tadorna
- cana
The Key to Scientific Names
Legend Overview
South African Shelduck Tadorna cana Scientific name definitions
Version: 2.0 — Published February 23, 2023
Photos from this Account
Male
Female
Male
Male and female
Male
Male (left) and female (right).
Males are larger with a gray head, whereas females have a variable white and brown-gray head.
Female South African Shelduck (right) and two White-faced Whistling-Ducks (left).
Juvenile female South African Shelduck, commencing Preformative Molt.
In both sexes, juveniles resemble older males but are duller, with browner heads and necks, usually some white on the eyebrow, and extensive dusky brown on the white upperwing coverts. Here, some white Formative feathering is emerging in the head, indicating a female. Note the brown and worn juvenile rectrices, which are usually replaced during the Preformative Molt.
Formative female South African Shelduck.
The worn brown juvenile primaries are retained. Note also the retained juvenile greater coverts, browner, rounded, and contrasting distinctly with replaced Formative coverts. The retained juvenile secondaries are duller than the glossy green basic secondaries. A few retained juvenile body feathers may also be expected, especially in the lower back, rump, and lower underparts.
Formative or First Alternate male South African Shelduck.
The brown and worn primary tips indicates formative plumage. Some first-year males can show bleached heads and breasts during the breeding period. Here the affect appears to be primarily of feather wear, without an extra replacement feathers (Prealternate Molt) as has been reported. Study is needed.
Definitive Basic female South African Shelduck.
Females in Formative and Definitive Basic plumages show variable amount of white on the face; the white patch here is reduced as compared to others. The head is otherwise dark brown and the nape, breast, and remainder of the plumage is bright russet, distinguishing females from males in these plumages. Note the the broad and glossy black outer primaries and rectrices, indicating Basic feathers in contrast to retained juvenile feathers of Formative Plumage.
Definitive Basic female South African Shelduck.
Female showing more extensive white to the head including dark auricular spot found in many individuals. The broad and glossy black outer primaries and rectrices indicate Definitive Basic Plumage.
Definitive Basic female South African Shelduck.
Despite worn plumage the glossy black primaries and rectrices and strong green tone to the secondaries indicates Definitive Basic Plumage. The upperwing secondary coverts are uniformly basic, squared and white. The slight brown wash to some proximal feathers can occur in some Basic feathers.
Definitive Basic male South African Shelduck.
Males in Formative and Definitive Basic plumages show gray heads pale buff napes and breasts, distinguishing them from females in these plumages. Note the the broad and glossy black outer primaries and rectrices, indicating basic feathers in contrast to retained juvenile feathers of Formative Plumage.
Definitive Basic male South African Shelduck.
The glossy black primaries and rectrices and strong green tone to the secondaries indicates Definitive Basic Plumage. The upperwing secondary coverts are uniformly Basic, squared and white.
Definitive Basic or Definitive Alternate male South African Shelduck (front) with female.
In worn plumage, the heads and breasts of males can become bleached (often extensively so in formative males). This might also result from a limited Prealternate Molt (see Molts). Note that the breast and back feathers are worn and show no signs of an extra feather replacement.
Adult female South African Shelduck.
In adults of both sexes, the bill is black and the iris is dark brown.
A pair of South African Shelduck dabbling for food.
A male feeding on aquatic plants.
Macaulay Library Photos for South African Shelduck
Top-rated photos submitted to the Macaulay Library via eBird. Note: Our content editors have not confirmed the species identification for these photos.
