Paradise shelduck

Tadorna variegata 

Paradijs casarca / Paradieskasarka / Casarca de Nouvelle-Zélande

The Paradise shelduck is a large goose-like duck endemic to New Zealand and vagrant to Australia. The Paradise shelducks usually live as pairs, grazing on grass and weeds, and will raid crops, particularly when molting. Paradise Shelducks form long-term pair bonds, often lasting for life, and defend territories.

This species has a very large range, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the range size criterion (Extent of Occurrence <20,000 km2 combined with a declining or fluctuating range size, habitat extent/quality, or population size and a small number of locations or severe fragmentation). The population trend appears to be stable, and hence the species does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population trend criterion (>30% decline over ten years or three generations). The population size is very large, and hence does not approach the thresholds for Vulnerable under the population size criterion (<10,000 mature individuals with a continuing decline estimated to be >10% in ten years or three generations, or with a specified population structure). For these reasons the species is evaluated as Least Concern (IUCN, 2012).

Above: adult pair of Paradise shelducks. Female left, male right.

Above: adult female Paradise shelduck

Above: adult pair of Paradise shelducks, male in front spreading its wing.

Above: adult pair of Paradise shelducks, male in front