Australasian Shoveler
Spatula rhynchotis
Silhouette: Sheatherius · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderAnseriformes (Waterfowl)
- FamilyAnatidae (Ducks, Geese, and Swans)
- GenusSpatula (Shovelers and Allies)
- SpeciesSpatula rhynchotis (Australasian Shoveler)
About the Australasian Shoveler
The Australasian shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis) is a species of dabbling duck in the genus Spatula. It ranges from 46 to 53 cm (18 to 21 in). It lives in heavily vegetated swamps. In Australia it is protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974. They occur in southwestern and southeastern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. The male has a blue-grey head with a vertical white crescent in front of the eyes.
The common name for the species Spatula rhynchotis is Australasian shoveler no matter which country it is found in. It was previously categorised as two subspecies: S. rhynchotis rhynchotis Australian shoveler, the nominate race, occurs in southwestern and southeastern Australia and Tasmania.
S. rhynchotis variegata New Zealand shoveler, occurs in New Zealand. Other names used include: spoonbill, shoveler, spoony, spoonie and shoveller. The Māori name is kuruwhengi. The Australasian shoveler was described by the English ornithologist John Latham in 1801.
Courtship in New Zealand starts around August which involves vocalisations from the drake (male) accompanied with head-bobbing whilst swimming toward the duck... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Australasian Shoveler in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Aoraki Mount Cook National Park
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Hymenolaimus malacorhynchos
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
| # | Park | Country | Daily sighting probability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fiordland National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 2 | Abel Tasman National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 3 | Aoraki Mount Cook National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 4 | Blue Mountains National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 5 | Tongariro National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 6 | Grampians National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 7 | Great Otway National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 8 | Kosciuszko National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 9 | Daintree National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 10 | Freycinet National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 11 | Ningaloo Marine Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 12 | Cape Range | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 13 | Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 14 | Maria Island National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 15 | Rakiura National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 16 | Wilsons Promontory National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia | |
| 17 | Arthur's Pass National Park | 🇳🇿 New Zealand | |
| 18 | Royal National Park | 🇦🇺 Australia |
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Australasian Shoveler in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Australasian Shoveler sighting in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park, based on 9 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Australasian Shoveler in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park?
August has the highest sighting rate for Australasian Shoveler in Aoraki Mount Cook National Park in our monthly data.