The male Australian Shoveler has a blue-grey head with vertical white crescent in front of the eye, dark crown, large black spatula shaped beak, yellow eyes, chestnut flanks, black back and rump, wing-coverts are bluish-grey with white bars, white patches on the rear flanks, and legs and feet are orange.
The female has the same large spatula shaped beak which is greyish-brown, mottled brown upperparts, chestnut underparts, and dark brown eyes.
Typical Adult is 46-56cm (18-22in)
Uses large beak to filter small animals, insects and plankton from the water. Also feeds on weeds, seeds, insects, and molluscs.
Wetlands, pools, lagoons, lakes and marshes in south-west and south-east Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand.
Begins August to December
9 to 11 (creamy-white colour).
River Cottage's collection of Shovellers changes regularly. Please visit us regularly to keep up-to-date with our flock
Click the button above to add a pair of New Zealand or Australian Shovellers to 'My Enquiries' which is available at the top of each page, and similar to a 'basket' on an ecommerce website!
Note: All birds are subject to availability and we reserve the right to alter prices as the market and our costs dictate. Viewing is strictly by appointment. Please contact us for futher details
