SHELDUCK. Its name in the Irish Language is ‘Seil-lacha'. The Latin name is ‘TADORNA TADORNA’.  It is an AMBER LISTED bird in Ireland. DUCK is the common name for many species of waterfoul in the family of Anatidae. The word 'Duck' comes from the old english word 'Dūce - Diver'. The female is a 'Duck' the male is a 'Drake'. The shell part has nothing to do with Shells. 'Sheld' is the old english word for mixed in colour or pied. 

There are several types of Shelduck. The one Garrett is imagining here is a 'Common' Shelduck. Ducks were important solar symbols in Celtic culture. Shelducks usually nest in holes like rabbit holes. Shelducks are not diving birds. Possibly when young but generally not as adults. More on this and subjects like the Irish Wildlife Act, Birdwatch Ireland, the importance of 'Bird Listening' - identifying birds by sound and how he learned to do this as a child, etc.

Garrett continues to imagine to observe the birds of the Rogerstown Estuary at THE HIDE SCULPTURE. You can recap by listening to his other HIDE FM podcasts to date.

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