Story: Wetland birds

Australasian shoveler

Australasian shoveler

Australasian shovelers or kuruwhengu have a long, narrow body, and float low in the water. In breeding plumage, males have a narrow white crescent at the base of the bill and a large white rump patch. Their bill is a broad, curved spatula with a pointed tip.

Using this item

New Zealand Herald
Reference: 21 October 2003
Photograph by Mark Mitchell

Permission of the New Zealand Herald must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

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How to cite this page:

Christina Troup, 'Wetland birds - Grey ducks, shovelers and scaup', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/14648/australasian-shoveler (accessed 1 May 2024)

Story by Christina Troup, published 24 Sep 2007, reviewed & revised 17 Feb 2015