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Nigel Key Australian Shoveler
(Slimbridge March 2017)
The Australian Shoveler, also known as the Blue Winged Shoveler or Southern Shoveler, is a dabbling duck and is protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act.
The Australasian Shoveler has two subspecies, the Australian Shoveler which lives in SouthWestern and SouthEastern Austraila / Tasmania and the New Zealand Shoveler which lives in New Zealand.
| Hear the Australian Shoveler's Call:- |
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Conservation Status
Size
460mm to 560mm (18" to 22")
Appearance - Male
The male has a Blue/Grey head with a vertical White crescent in front of its eyes. It has a large Black bill with Chestnut and White flanks, dark and light mottled breast, dark back and rump with Blue/Grey and White wing coverts. The eyes are Yellow and the feet and legs are Orange.
Appearance - Female
The female has mottled Brown upperparts and Chestnut underparts with a large Grey/Brown bill. The head is a lighter Brown with Brown eyes distinguishing it from the male in eclipse plumage.
Habitat
Wetlands, Swamps, Lakes, Pools, Marshes and Lagoons.
Diet
Insects, Plankton, Weeds, Seeds and Molluscs.
Breeding Time
August to December.
Nest
They nest in ground cover or nest boxes.
Eggs
Quantity: 9 to 11
Colour: Cream.
Australian Black Duck
