Radjah Shelduck

Radjah radjah(Lesson & Garnot, 1828)

Also known asDirdiMarra-marra

Least ConcernNative

Order: ANSERIFORMES
Family: Anatidae
Genus: Radjah

Conservation: Least Concern
Commonness: Very common
Best seen: Year-round

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The radjah shelduck, is a species of shelduck found mostly in New Guinea and Australia, and also on some of the Moluccas. It is known alternatively as the raja shelduck, black-backed shelduck, or in Australia as the Burdekin duck.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Length: 49–61 cm
Weight: 600–1400 g
Wingspan: 90 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

behaviour

Almost always seen in permanent, well-bonded pairs; if one bird is flushed, the second will almost invariably follow immediately.

flight

In flight, the wings reveal massive white panels on both the upper and lower surfaces, accented by a dark green iridescent band on the trailing edge of the inner wing.

plumage

Look for the diagnostic pale iris and white eye-ring against the white head, along with a distinct narrow chestnut collar across the upper breast.
The bill and legs are a characteristic fleshy-pink color, providing a sharp contrast to the bird's dark back and wings.

size_and_shape