South African Shelduck
Photo: Joseph Morlan · CC BY-SA 4.0

Ducks, Swans, and Geese

South African Shelduck

Tadorna cana

LCLeast Concern
Family
Ducks, Swans, and Geese (Anatidae)
Order
Anseriformes

Overview

The South African shelduck or Cape shelduck (Tadorna cana) is a species of shelduck, a group of large goose-like birds in the bird family Anatidae, which includes the swans, geese and ducks. This is a common species native to southern Africa.
This is a 64 cm (25 in) long bird which breeds mainly in Namibia and South Africa. In the austral winter, many birds move north-east from the breeding range to favoured moulting grounds, where sizable concentrations occur.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Range and habitat

Karoo of southern Africa.

Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.