Male Northern Shoveler displaying, Wanuskewin
Male Northern Shoveler displaying, Wanuskewin Park.
This dabbling duck species is unmistakable due to its large spoon-like bill. They feed by dabbling for plant food, often by swinging its bill from side to side and using the bill to strain food from the water. Small, comb-like structures on the edge of the bill act like sieves, allowing the bird to filter the food particle from the water surface. Males are very colourful, with iridescent dark green head and brightly red coloured body.
I observed this male occasionally flapping its wings and waited for a right moment to capture the image. Water was of a very similar colour thanks to the reflection of dry reeds in the background (I was slightly raised from the water surface and managed to avoid capturing any of the confusing background vegetation).
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