Paradise Shelduck (Tadorna variegata) lives in grasslands wetlands across New Zealand. It feeds on grass and insects. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
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A real field recording of the Paradise Shelduck, made in the wild.
A single pair can lay between five and fifteen eggs, most often eight to ten, and when two females share a nest the clutch can exceed twelve eggs. Roughly 83 % of those eggs hatch and 89 % of the hatchlings survive to fledging. After a 30-35 day incubation, the chicks spend about eight weeks under parental care before venturing out, yet the species averages only 2.3 years of life, with the oldest recorded individual reaching 23 years.
Hunting removes a sizable slice of the population each year: harvest rates swing from 5 % to 48 % across regions, averaging just over 30 % of birds taken. The season opens on the first Saturday of May and closes on 31 July, with daily bag limits set between six and twenty-five birds depending on locality.
With an estimated 600,000-700,000 individuals, the paradise shelduck is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, reflecting a robust, stable population across New Zealand. This abundance stems from the bird's adaptability to farmland, wetlands, and tussock valleys, and from historic protections that halted over-hunting in the early 20th century.
The paradise shelduck occupies New Zealand, from the North Island's fertile river valleys to the South Island's high-country lakes and offshore islands like Little Barrier and Stewart. They thrive in pasture, tussock grassland, and wetlands, favoring sites where water meets dense reedbeds or forest edges, which provide both feeding grounds and safe night refuges.
At up to 71 cm long and 2 kg heavy, the paradise shelduck is the biggest of its genus. Males tip the scales at an average 1.72 kg while females sit around 1.29 kg, and their wings span roughly 90 cm.
Sources
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In the lush wetlands of New Zealand, the Paradise Shelduck glides effortlessly, its sleek, iridescent feathers glistening like polished jewels as it navigates the tranquil waters with a serene elegance. With each stroke of its powerful wings, it propels itself forward, leaving behind a trail of rippling waves that disturb the otherwise mirror-like surface, a testament to its remarkable agility and poise. As it forages for aquatic delicacies, its bright orange beak probes the depths with precision, a vibrant splash of color that adds to the bird's already striking presence.
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