Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) 24 February 2019. Edogawa Ward--Kasai Rinkai Park / Kasai Kaihin Park, Tokyo Prefecture, Japan
Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)

Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata)
Top photo shows a pair mating in the water. They do not breed in this area, but pair formation takes place here in the wintering grounds after which they migrate back to the natal site of the female. This widespread species is famous for its specialized bill ideally suited for straining small swimming crustaceans from the water. The 58th AOS checklist supplement moves these and several related species from the genus Anas to Spatula to maintain the monophyly of Anas. Canon PowerShot SX60.

References:

Carboneras, C. & Kirwan, G.M. (2019). Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata). In: del Hoyo, J., Elliott, A., Sargatal, J., Christie, D.A. & de Juana, E. (eds.). Handbook of the Birds of the World Alive. Lynx Edicions, Barcelona. (retrieved from https://www.hbw.com/node/52896 on 22 May 2019).

Dubowy, P. J. (1996). Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata), version 2.0. In The Birds of North America (A. F. Poole and F. B. Gill, Editors). Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Ithaca, NY, USA. https://doi.org/10.2173/bna.217
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