PARADISE SHELDUCK Tadorna variegata

Similar to its close Australian relative, except for the white head of the female, which also differs in having a distinct eclipse plumage, whereas the male is much the same year round. Males lack the chestnut lower breast, but young females can have a head pattern almost identical to their Australian cousins, before the white develops fully. Habits are similar, and birds are quite common over the whole of New Zealand and Stewart Island, except the northern half of North Island.

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