The Shelduck is quite a large bird, with a wingspan of over a metre and is easily identified by its distinctive black, white and tan colours, plus a large bright red bill. On a sunny day their black heads have a metallic green sheen. Male and female are very similar, but like Mute Swans their bills differ in that the male has a 'basal knob' at the top.

These are some of a large flock of Shelduck feeding in the bay at low tide. They eat small invertebrates, including molluscs and crustaceans