Between the size of most ducks and the larger geese, the Shelduck is easy to identify with its white, black and chestnut plumage and bright red bill.
In winter, Shelduck favour muddy estuaries and coastal marshes. Wetland Bird Survey data reveal the importance of north-west England for this species, with about ten thousand birds wintering on both the Dee and Mersey Estuaries. There has been a noticeable extension of range during the last 50 years.
The breeding range in Britain has also been extending inland over this period, with valley farmlands, pig fields and reservoirs are the habitats where Shelduck are most often encountered. This is a burrow-nesting species, so sandy soils and Rabbit warrens assist the birds in finding suitable nest sites.
Select a topic for more facts and statistics about the Shelduck
Listen to example recordings of the main vocalisations of Shelduck, provided by xeno-canto contributors.
Flight call
Call
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Shelducks occurred on relatively few CBC plots, most of which were close to a coast or an estuary, and it is unclear how well the CBC trend represented the UK breeding population. The CBC showed a substantial increase from the mid 1960s until the early 1980s, some decrease during the 1980s, and stability during the 1990s, although the wide confidence intervals provide scope for other interpretations. Population increase was associated with expansion of range, measured as an additional 20% of occupied 10-km squares in Britain between 1968-72 and 1988-91 (Gibbons et al. 1993). The UK winter Shelduck population rose during the 1960s and 1970s, alongside the rise in breeding numbers, but then decreased from the mid 1990s, although a slight upturn has occurred in the last five years (WeBS: Frost et al. 2020). The BBS index is affected by occasional large counts, and therefore its confidence intervals are again relatively wide. BBS results show no clear population trend since 1994, but there has been further expansion of breeding population (Balmer et al. 2013). The species has increased across Europe since 1991 (PECBMS: PECBMS 2020a>).
UK breeding population
No population change in UK (1995–2022)
UK winter population
-26% decrease (1996/97–2021/22)
Exploring the trends for Shelduck
Our Trends Explorer will also give you the latest insight into how the UK's Shelduck population is changing.
Shelducks wintering around the coastline favour muddy estuaries and coastal marshes. Inland, they utilise a range of sites including valley farmland, lakes, reservoirs and pig fields. The breeding distribution map shows birds to be well distributed around the lowland coastal fringe and at scattered inland locations in northern, central and southern England.
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution 2008-2011. More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution 2008-2011. More from the Atlas Mapstore.
The continued colonisation of inland breeding sites since the 1968–72 Breeding Atlas is the most striking change for the Shelduck and is also consistent with the change in range that has taken place in winter; increases of 34% and 17% in range size were recorded when compared with the 1968–72 Breeding Atlas and the 1981–84 Winter Atlas respectively.
Britain and Ireland Breeding Distribution Change 1968–72 to 2008–11. More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Britain and Ireland Winter Distribution Change 1981–84 to 2007–11 More from the Atlas Mapstore.
Change in occupied 10-km squares in the UK
% change in range in breeding season (1968–72 to 2008–11)
Shelducks are present throughout the year, though more often reported in winter and during spring migration.
Weekly occurrence patterns (shaded cells) and reporting rates (vertical bars) based on BirdTrack data. Reporting rates give the likelihood of encountering the species each week.
Movement
Information about movement and migration based on online bird portals (e.g. BirdTrack), Ringing schemes and tracking studies.
An overview of year-round movements for the whole of Europe can be seen on the EuroBirdPortal viewer.
There is little good evidence available regarding the drivers of the breeding population change in this species in the UK.
Further information on causes of change
No further information is available.
Information about conservation actions
The recent trend for Shelduck is uncertain and hence it is unclear whether direct conservation action is currently required for this species in the UK. There is little specific research evidence relating to breeding requirements for the species, but it is likely that actions to maintain and improve availability and habitat quality in wetland habitats will benefit Shelduck. The species nests in underground holes or similar cavities (e.g. rabbit burrows) and the provision of artificial nest sites may help support nesting (BirdLife International)
Protected sites are assigned based on population statistics for vulnerable and endangered species. This new study using WeBS data shows that changes in population size can affect local abundance, and thus influence whether or not key targets are met for site protection.
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