-
The area is salty and slightly saline waters of lakes and lagoons, as well as the sea coasts of Eurasia. -
Length - 58-67 cm. -
Weight - 0.5-1.5 kg. -
The diet includes aquatic invertebrates (crustaceans, molluscs, aquatic insects and their larvae) and aquatic and semi-aquatic vegetation. -
Life expectancy is up to 15 years.
The maximum age of a sheath - 24 years and 9 months - is recorded in the British Isles.
Social behavior
Shelducks can be sedentary, migratory, or partially migratory. It all depends on the area of residence. Birds spend a lot of time on the shore. Unlike most ducks, they move easily and quickly overland. Breeding pairs are very territorial. If the reservoir is small, then the dominant pair chases the neighboring ones, but their ducklings attach to their brood.
Reproduction
In a clutch there are 3 to 12 eggs, each weighing about 80 g with a shiny white shell. After the last egg has been laid, one female incubates for 29–31 days.
Species and people
Shelducks women get used to the neighborhood of a person well and can become an excellent decoration for urban water bodies.
Interesting Facts
To arrange a nest, shelducks choose old nests of marmots, porcupines, foxes. At the same time, they can safely nest near the fox's den.
