Female northern shoveler
The northern shovelers (Anas clypeata) are migrating south, many currently spending time in Central Ontario- some will remain here all winter.
Male northern shoveler
At first glance, they look a lot like mallards...but LOOK at their beaks - elongated, kinda spoon shaped with comb-like edges to filter out food from water.
Another view of male's beak
I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE
48 comments:
Beautiful photographs. You have such an eye.
Oh I love the shoveler and his name is cool.Great shots. B
Their beaks are really interesting. Great shots!
Great! You have introduced me to so many new birds.
Darla
i think they are about the prettiest of birds they are.
thanks for your lovely post~
I suppose in the human world this species with its impressive beak might be considered the Jimmy Durante of birds. :)
they are amazing, as are those beaks. god sure knew what he was doing when he made all this
The shoveler is new to me! Great photos, thanks for sharing.
now I understand the name
his beak is so cool
beautiful shots
and I learned something! :)
Nice bird this shoveler ! Great shots ! Thank you for stopping by :-)
Nice photos and interesting! I've never seen this and looked it up on Wikipedia. If I translate the swedish name for it, it would be Spoon Duck. :) Thanks for your comment! /Pia
i love seeing these ducks come thru on migration. their bills are almost comical!
Your nature photos are always perfect and a good sight to see. PS. Got home from Cuba yesterday...an amazing trip! Come visit; I've missed seeing the blogs every day!!
neat birds, I don't think I have seen them before?
Gill
He's such a handsome duck!
gorgeous colors. but those eyes are sort of angry looking... smile little ducks. ha. ha!! a smiley duck wouldn't that be funny. (:
Śliczne kaczki i mają niesamowite dzioby. Pozdrawiam.
Cute ducks and have amazing beaks. Yours.
Northern Shoveler? Looks like a duck to me. And may I expect to see this thing in Stone Creek shortly?
lovely photos ~
We get the Shoveler here in Britain too - a very attractive duck indeed as your pictures show.
Yes, I too noticed the difference. Great captures.
They're starting to arrive near me now that Autumn is here. Such a strange looking duck, but nice shots.
That's a new name for me - "shoveler". Great shots.
I'd never seen them before; thanks for sharing these great shots and super information!
Another new one for me!
Very interesting birds and a great series of photo.
You have such a great eye for good photos, and a wonderful aptitude for catching them in the right poses! Maybe I'll see some of these wild creatures as they pass down the "Mississippi Flyway" on their way down south. Last year a large flock of ducks visited our neighborhood duck pond for a few days as they hid out from a storm.
I know when I first saw this species I thought it was a mutant. Little did I know...and they've become one of my favorites.
Great images.
Hootin' Anni @ Hootin' Anni's - Egret taking to flight
and
I'd Rather B Birdin - Cooper's Hawk
Nice captures!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Hi EG! I just read your comment on Ocala. I was surprised 'cause I always thought you liked coffee shops with bookstores attached! :-))
I am glad you pointed out the differences...I don't know if I would of noticed or not. The beak is SO elongated...wow.
Laurie @ Pride in photos
Love the Shovelers, especially the pretty male. I have not seen many winter ducks yet. Great shots!
I am finding so many different species of birds by visiting blog like yours. Great pics of them :)
They are just so much fun to watch!
Interesting looking birds with unusual beaks.
Yes, the bills are what we see first. They are unusual.
Ah yes, they do have very long beaks! Lovely shots.
Nice captures! They are appropriately named. I've never seen any prior to your photos.
I didn't know that sort of duck... Beautiful !
Beautiful shots of the Northern Shovelers CG! Isn't it amazing how the drake's head changes colors as he moves around in the sunlight?
Nicely done:) This year, several weeks ago, I actually positively ID'd my first one and it was cool. Beautiful birds with an unusual eye color.
This species of duck has been recorded once in Australia - it was shot! But we have a different species of shoveler - still with that same huge beak!
Cheers and thanks for linking to WBW
Stewart M - Australia
Beautiful shots!
Lovely photos of lovely ducks. We have a shoveller over here too (probably a different species).
Thanks for pointing out the beaks of these ducks. Thanks, too, for the wonderful photos.
I love these birds! Because they're beautiful and because they are definitely a duck that even I can identify. Great pictures.
Beautiful captures of these ducks!
ohmigod, they are so cute! Gorgeous critters!
Léia
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