Northern Shoveler

Description:

They have a large spatulate bill. The breeding drake has an iridescent dark green head, white breast and chestnut belly and flanks. In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the drake resembles the female. The female is a drab mottled brown like other dabblers, with plumage much like a female Mallard, but easily distinguished by the long broad bill, which is gray tinged with orange.

Habitat:

These ducks are common in lakes here in Belgium in the winter and spring. the specimens in the picture live all year long in Het Zwin (vogelreservaat).