Shelduck - Tadorna tadorna

[Chocky]

A pair captured on the estuary. You can clearly see the difference here between the male and the female

[joe]

Great picture Beryl

[Chocky]

Thanks Joe

[Catherine]

By 'clearly see the difference', do you mean the large red knob on top of the male's upper bill?

Nice pic!

[Chocky]

Thank you .
Yes. The female ( on the left) lacks the nodule and has white mottling. Is also slightly smaller

[Catherine]

Thanks, Beryl!

(The bird sites call them 'knobs', but 'nodules' does sound more polite!)

[Chocky]

Well I know they are knobs but.................. yes and butterflies have baubles on the end of their antennae where moths antennae smooth