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The red shoveler is a species of dabbling duck native to southern South America.
Text adapted from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
ID tip
The species has a spatula-shaped bill, a green speculum, and light blue upper wing converts. Male shovelers vary in color from red to paler shades of red (and pink), while the females tend to have large, dark bills. Adults reach a size of about 45–56 centimetres (18–22 in), weigh about 523–608 grams (1.153–1.340 lb), and have a wingspan of about 66–73 centimetres (26–29 in).
Text from Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where it lives
Recorded as a rare visitor in United Kingdom, Czechia, Germany.
When to see it
Peak activity in October · a resident species across most of its range
Easily confused with
Silver TealSpatula versicolorThey have a black cap that extends below the eyes, and a bluish bill with a yellow tip.
Cape ShovelerSpatula smithiiThe Cape shoveler or Cape shoveller is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Spatula.
Blue-billed TealSpatula hottentotaAdult males have dark brown crown contrasting with paler face, throat, breast and side except for a blackish thumb-shaped patch on the ear region.
Learn the Red Shoveler for real
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