Australasian Shoveler Spatula rhynchotis
(aka Anas rhynchotis)
Male and female Australian Shoveler, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, February 2006 - click for larger image Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia
February 2006

The Australasian Shoveler is distributed in western and eastern Australia including Tasmania and in New Zealand. It is found on lakes, wetlands, coastal inlets, etc.

Male and female Australian Shoveler, Warrnambool, Victoria, Australia, February 2006 - click for larger image It has a very large, dark bill. The male has a vertical whitish crescent in front of the eye, a yellow eye, chestnut flanks and a white mark on the flank. These males appear to be entering eclipse plumage when colours are much more subdued and the white flank mark disappears. Females are mottled brown with a pale eye-ring.
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