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
Beautiful photographs. You have such an eye.
ReplyDeleteOh I love the shoveler and his name is cool.Great shots. B
ReplyDeleteTheir beaks are really interesting. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteGreat! You have introduced me to so many new birds.
ReplyDeleteDarla
i think they are about the prettiest of birds they are.
ReplyDeletethanks for your lovely post~
I suppose in the human world this species with its impressive beak might be considered the Jimmy Durante of birds. :)
ReplyDeletethey are amazing, as are those beaks. god sure knew what he was doing when he made all this
ReplyDeleteThe shoveler is new to me! Great photos, thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeletenow I understand the name
ReplyDeletehis beak is so cool
beautiful shots
and I learned something! :)
Nice bird this shoveler ! Great shots ! Thank you for stopping by :-)
ReplyDeleteNice 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
ReplyDeletei love seeing these ducks come thru on migration. their bills are almost comical!
ReplyDeleteYour 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!!
ReplyDeleteneat birds, I don't think I have seen them before?
ReplyDeleteGill
He's such a handsome duck!
ReplyDeletegorgeous colors. but those eyes are sort of angry looking... smile little ducks. ha. ha!! a smiley duck wouldn't that be funny. (:
ReplyDeleteŚliczne kaczki i mają niesamowite dzioby. Pozdrawiam.
ReplyDeleteCute 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?
ReplyDeletelovely photos ~
ReplyDeleteWe get the Shoveler here in Britain too - a very attractive duck indeed as your pictures show.
ReplyDeleteYes, I too noticed the difference. Great captures.
ReplyDeleteThey're starting to arrive near me now that Autumn is here. Such a strange looking duck, but nice shots.
ReplyDeleteThat's a new name for me - "shoveler". Great shots.
ReplyDeleteI'd never seen them before; thanks for sharing these great shots and super information!
ReplyDeleteAnother new one for me!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting birds and a great series of photo.
ReplyDeleteYou 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteGreat 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.
ReplyDeleteHi EG! I just read your comment on Ocala. I was surprised 'cause I always thought you liked coffee shops with bookstores attached! :-))
ReplyDeleteI am glad you pointed out the differences...I don't know if I would of noticed or not. The beak is SO elongated...wow.
ReplyDeleteLaurie @ Pride in photos
Love the Shovelers, especially the pretty male. I have not seen many winter ducks yet. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteI am finding so many different species of birds by visiting blog like yours. Great pics of them :)
ReplyDeleteThey are just so much fun to watch!
ReplyDeleteInteresting looking birds with unusual beaks.
ReplyDeleteYes, the bills are what we see first. They are unusual.
ReplyDeleteAh yes, they do have very long beaks! Lovely shots.
ReplyDeleteNice captures! They are appropriately named. I've never seen any prior to your photos.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know that sort of duck... Beautiful !
ReplyDeleteBeautiful shots of the Northern Shovelers CG! Isn't it amazing how the drake's head changes colors as he moves around in the sunlight?
ReplyDeleteNicely 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.
ReplyDeleteThis 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!
ReplyDeleteCheers and thanks for linking to WBW
Stewart M - Australia
Beautiful shots!
ReplyDeleteLovely photos of lovely ducks. We have a shoveller over here too (probably a different species).
ReplyDeleteThanks for pointing out the beaks of these ducks. Thanks, too, for the wonderful photos.
ReplyDeleteI love these birds! Because they're beautiful and because they are definitely a duck that even I can identify. Great pictures.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful captures of these ducks!
ReplyDeleteohmigod, they are so cute! Gorgeous critters!
ReplyDeleteLéia