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Story: Wetland birds

Paradise shelduck nest with eggs

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Paradise shelduck nest with eggs

The female paradise shelduck lays 5–10 eggs in a nest hollow – either on the ground or up in a tree. The female incubates the eggs while the male actively defends the surrounding area.

Using this item

Department of Conservation

Reference: 10044653

by M. J. Williams

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How to cite this page

Christina Troup, Wetland birds – Paradise shelducks – pūtangitangi, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/en/photograph/14631/paradise-shelduck-nest-with-eggs (accessed 4 June 2026).

Story by Christina Troup, published 1 March 2009.