Duck (South African Shelduck)

Predominantly light chestnut coloured with a grey head in the male and a grey head with variable amounts of white in the female. Found mainly in southern Africa on waterbodies in grassland regions. Feeds on invertebrates and algae, and on land on grain in crop fields

Breeding season is from March to December, peaking from June to September. The nest is made by the female in a pre-existing cavity in the ground, most typically in an Aardvark burrow.

The female lays 6-15 eggs and the incubation period is probably for about 30 days. Only the female incubates the eggs while the male protects the territory by hissing loudly to inform the female of potential predators.  Both parents care for the young and drive off any animals that vaguely look threatening - even herons and cormorants. Young are able to fly by 70 days old and they leave the adults from 90-120 days old. 

photographed at Toronto Zoo