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the stunning mountain duck Australian Shelduck

Noongar name - Nyimarak

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The Australian Shelduck, also known as a Mountain Duck, forms the biggest duck population on Rottnest. A population of ducks made up of paired adults live on the Island permanently.

Shelduck numbers fluctuate with the season. December to January sees the largest number of ducks and July sees the lowest.

The best spot to find the Shelduck is Garden Lake, Bulldozer Swamp and the grassy west edge of Lake Baghdad.

Where you can find a Australian Shelduck

Conservation Status

Not listed under IUCN (2016). All Rottnest Island’s fauna is protected under the Rottnest Island Authority Act 1987.
  • Extinct
  • Extinct in Wild
  • Critically Endangered
  • Endangered
  • Vulnerable
  • Near Threatened
  • Least Concerned

Help keep Rottnest healthy

  • Do ride carefully on the Island
  • Do keep to designated tracks
  • Do enjoy watching them on their own terms

Australian Shelduck Gallery

Hey there! Did you know...

Two days after the ducklings hatch, the parents take them from the nest site to the brood territory. The ducklings cannot fly yet and so have to walk or swim the whole way. Some birds nest at the West End so the family’s journey can be 6 km!

Want to know more?

Download the Australian Shelduck fact file!

Bridled Tern

Fairy Tern

Squelching Froglet