Australasian Shoveler Spatula rhynchotis

This species was formerly placed in the genus Anas.

I have only encountered this species in wildfowl collections. As its name suggests it is native to Australia and New Zealand. Escapees may occur in the wild in Britain but beware hybrids between Blue-winged Teal and Northern Shoveler which look very similar.

captive Australasian Shoveler, Blakeney quayside collection (Norfolk, UK), 18th January 2004

captive Australasian Shoveler, Blakeney quayside collection (Norfolk, UK), 12th April 2004

captive Australasian Shovelers, Martin Mere (Lancashire, UK), 28th December 2003

captive Australasian Shoveler, Blakeney quayside collection (Norfolk, UK), 20th February 2001

captive Australasian Shoveler, Blakeney quayside collection (Norfolk, UK), 7th November 2003