Sheldrakes
There’s a Shelduck walking on mud at RSPB Lodmoor. It’s sinking gently, despite its webbed feet, into the black ooze. It’s a heavy duck:
![Shelduck - RSPB Lodmoor - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/RSPB-Lodmoor-The-Hall-of-Einar-2716-725x483.jpg)
Shelducks were previously called Sheldrakes, at least they were until the late 19th Century. Quite what changed their sex remains a mystery to me.
![Shelduck - RSPB Lodmoor - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/RSPB-Lodmoor-The-Hall-of-Einar-2705.jpg)
The males and females appear identical to humans.
![Shelduck - RSPB Lodmoor - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)](https://www.thehallofeinar.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/RSPB-Lodmoor-The-Hall-of-Einar-2712-725x483.jpg)
I’m sure Shelducks and Sheldrakes know the difference.