Shoveler (Anas clypeata)
Length: 44 to 52cm, Wingspan: 70 to 84cm, Weight: 400 to 1,000g
Lifespan: 10 to 20 years.
Seen all year. Breeds mostly in Eastern Europe, preferring reed growing areas.
The Shoveler is a very robust and versatile flyer, despite its stout appearance. It uses its large wide-flat beak as a sieve, by moving it from side to side through the water’s surface. The bill has small comb-like structures on the sides, which filter the water through. Feeding on aquatic invertebrates, insects, seeds and plankton.
Habitat: The Shoveler is a bird of open wetlands and marshes, rich in invertebrate life; favours well covered grass and reedy areas, not too close to the open water. It is a widespread bird found in most countries across Eurasia, into North Africa, Western North America and the Great Lakes region, of the United States.
Nesting: The nest is made up with plant material and lined with down in a shallow recess in the ground. 8 to 12 eggs are laid, one brood between March and June.
The Drake engages in an elaborate behaviour, while courting a hen on water and also in the air. It is not uncommon to see many Drakes pursuing a single hen. This is a fairly quite species, the male will make a deep “took” “took” like noise, the females voice is very similar to the Mallard-like quack.
The Shoveler is a social bird, larger flocks will be seen in the Autumn and Winter time of the year.