Crested Shelduck

The crested shelduck or Korean crested shelduck is a species of bird in the family Anatidae. It is critically endangered. The male crested shelduck has a greenish-black crown, breast, primaries, and tail, while the rest of its face, chin, and throat are brownish black.

The male's belly, undertail coverts, and flanks are a dark grey with black striations. The upper wing coverts are white, while its speculum is an iridescent green. The female has a white eye ring, black crest, white face, chin, throat, neck, and upper wing coverts and a dark brown body with white striations.

Additionally, both sexes have a distinctive green tuft of feathers protruding from the head.

The Crested Shelduck inhabits coastal mudflats, estuaries, and freshwater wetlands across East Asia, particularly favoring shallow waters with abundant invertebrate prey. It relies on both marine and freshwater environments, using coastal areas for feeding and inland wetlands for breeding.