The paradise shelduck, also known as the paradise duck, or pūtangitangi in Māori, is a species of shelduck, a group of goose-like ducks, which is endemic to New Zealand. Johann Friedrich Gmelin placed it in the genus Anas with the ducks, geese, and swans. Both the male and female have striking plumages: the male has a black head and barred black body and the female has a white head with a chestnut body. They weigh between 1.09 and 2 kg and are between 63 and 71 cm in length.
Region
New Zealand
Typical Environment
Widespread across open country, including pasture, tussock grasslands, wetlands, lakes, rivers, and coastal estuaries. Frequently uses farmland and short-grass areas for grazing, often near water. Nests are placed on the ground, in dense cover, or occasionally in tree hollows or farm structures. Outside the breeding season, large flocks gather on lakes and estuaries to moult.
Altitude Range
Sea level to 1500 m
Climate Zone
Temperate
Ease of Keeping
Beginner friendly: 2/5
Known in Māori as pūtangitangi, this striking shelduck is strongly sexually dimorphic, with the female sporting a white head and chestnut body. Pairs are long-term and fiercely territorial in the breeding season, but large flocks gather at traditional moulting sites after breeding. The species has benefited from conversion of forest to pasture and is managed as a gamebird in New Zealand. Their loud, contrasting male and female calls are often heard in duet.
Watercolour of a female bird painted by Georg Forster on James Cook's second voyage to the Pacific Ocean. This picture is the holotype for the species.
Pair at Sylvan Heights Waterfowl Park
Female with six chicks on Ōpunake Beach
Temperament
territorial in pairs, gregarious outside breeding
Flight Pattern
strong flier with direct flight and rapid wingbeats
Social Behavior
Pairs are long-term and defend territories vigorously during the breeding season. Nests are on the ground in cover or cavities, with the female incubating and the male standing guard. After breeding, they form large moulting flocks on open lakes and estuaries.
Migratory Pattern
Resident
Song Description
Vocal and duetting: females give loud, honking ‘gag-gag’ calls, while males produce a softer, wheezy whistle. Calls are frequently exchanged between pair members, especially in territorial displays.
Plumage
Strongly dimorphic: males are mostly dark with a black head showing green sheen and finely barred dark body; females have a clean white head and neck contrasting with rich chestnut body. Both sexes show a bold white upperwing patch and iridescent green speculum visible in flight.
Diet
Primarily grazes on short grasses and clover in pastures, and also takes leaves, shoots, and seeds of aquatic and terrestrial plants. Will opportunistically consume invertebrates such as insects, worms, and molluscs, especially during the breeding season. Agricultural crops may be browsed where available.
Preferred Environment
Feeds mostly on land in open pasture, tussock, and along lake margins and river flats. Also forages in shallow wetlands and estuarine edges, tipping and dabbling for plant matter.
