Detail Classification

Shelducks, sheldgeese and steamer-ducks. This group of larger, often semi-terrestrial waterfowl can be seen as intermediate between geese (Anserinae) and ducks (Anatinae). There are 19 surviving species, mostly from the Southern Hemisphere, divided into 6 genera: Cyanochen Blue-winged Goose (Ethiopia), Chloephaga sheldgeese (South America, 5 species), Neochen Orinoco Goose (South America), Alopochen Egyptian Goose (Africa), Tadorna (the shelducks, 7 species), Lophonetta Crested Duck, (South America) and Tachyeres (the steamer ducks of South America).

The Tadorninae is a subfamily of the Anatidae, the biological family that includes the ducks and most duck-like waterfowl such as the (geese and swans).

This subfamily includes the shelducks, sheldgeese and steamer-ducks. This group of larger, often semi-terrestrial waterfowl can be seen as intermediate between geese (Anserinae) and ducks.

This group is largely tropical or Southern Hemisphere in distribution, with only one species, the common Shelduck breeding in northern temperate regions.

Most of these species have a distinctive plumage, but there is no pattern as to whether the sexes are alike, even within a single genus . There are 19 surviving species, divided into 7 genera:

1. Blue-winged Goose Cyanochen cyanopterus (Ethiopia)

1. Andean Goose Chloephaga melanoptera
2. Magellan Goose Chloephaga picta
3. Kelp Goose Chloephaga hybrida
4. Ashy-headed Goose Chloephaga poliocephala
5. Ruddy-headed Goose Chloephaga rubidiceps

1. Orinoco Goose Neochen jubata (South America)

1. Egyptian Goose Alopochen aegyptiacus (Africa)

1. Ruddy Shelduck Tadorna ferruginea
2. Cape Shelduck Tadorna cana
3. Australian Shelduck Tadorna tadornoides
4. Paradise Shelduck Tadorna variegata
5. Crested Shelduck Tadorna cristata
6. Common Shelduck Tadorna tadorna
7. Radjah Shelduck Tadorna radjah

1. Crested Duck Lophonetta specularioides (South America)

1. Flying Steamer Duck Tachyeres patachonicus
2. Magellanic Flightless Steamer Duck Tachyeres pteneres
3. White-headed Flightless Steamer Duck Tachyeres leucocephalus
4. Falkland Flightless Steamer Duck Tachyeres brachypterus