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;[[:Category:Anas|Anas]] clypeata | ;[[:Category:Anas|Anas]] clypeata | ||
==Identification== | ==Identification== | ||
| + | [[Image:northern_shoveler_eclipse.JPG|thumb|350px|right|Male - Eclipse Plumage<br />Photo by {{user|aloktewari|Alok Tewari}}<br />[[Bharatpur Keoladeo National Park|Keoladeo National Park]], [[India]], Dec-2015]] | ||
43–56 cm (17-22 in)<br /> | 43–56 cm (17-22 in)<br /> | ||
'''Male''' | '''Male''' | ||
Revision as of 05:01, 6 December 2016
- Anas clypeata
Identification
43–56 cm (17-22 in)
Male
- Bottle green head
- Chestnut flanks
- White breast
- Very large black spatula shaped bill
In flight, pale blue forewing feathers are revealed, separated from the green speculum by a white border.
Female
- Light brown
- Grey forewing
- Very large grey and orange spatula shaped bill
Similar Species
The plumage of the female is similar to that of a female Mallard the bill being the major distinguishing feature.
Distribution
Northern areas of Europe and Asia and across most of North America. It is a rare vagrant to Australia.
Taxonomy
This is a monotypic species[1].
The Northern Shoveler is usually placed in the genus Anas, but can be placed in the separate genus Spatula, along with the other species of shoveler and related species Cinnamon Teal and Blue-winged Teal.
Habitat
Marshlands and overgrown ponds. Rarely on the sea. Breeds in shallow, lowland, freshwater wetlands.
Behaviour
It is a migratory species, wintering further south than its breeding range. It is not as gregarious as most other dabbling ducks, and only forms small parties.
Diet
Dabbling duck, uses bill to filter food. Will eat tiny crustaceans, insects as well as seed and plant matter.
Breeding
The nest is a shallow depression on the ground, lined with plant material and down, usually close to water.
Vocalisation
Fairly quiet. Females a mallard-like quack. Males a deep "took, took."
<flashmp3>Anas clypeata (song).mp3</flashmp3>
Listen in an external program
References
- Clements, J. F., T. S. Schulenberg, M. J. Iliff, D. Roberson, T. A. Fredericks, B. L. Sullivan, and C. L. Wood. 2016. The eBird/Clements checklist of birds of the world: v2016, with updates to August 2016. Downloaded from http://www.birds.cornell.edu/clementschecklist/download/
- Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive (retrieved February 2016)
- Collins Field Guide 5th Edition
Recommended Citation
- BirdForum Opus contributors. (2024) Northern Shoveler. In: BirdForum, the forum for wild birds and birding. Retrieved 26 April 2024 from https://www.birdforum.net/opus/Northern_Shoveler
External Links
