What does the Common Shelduck eat?

The Common Shelduck's diet shapes where and when you'll find it. Understanding what it eats helps you predict where to look.

Diet overview

Omnivore (primarily invertebrates, some plant matter)

How it forages

Feeds by dabbling, head-dipping, and sometimes up-ending in shallow water, primarily on small invertebrates. Its diet consists mainly of small snails (Hydrobia ulvae), bivalves, crustaceans, and marine worms. It also consumes some algae and seeds. It often uses its bill to sift through mud and sand.

When it feeds

Diurnal, with feeding activity often concentrated around low tide.

Explore the Common Shelduck