Northern Shoveler Ducks

Description:

Male Description Breeding Plumage: Head dark glossy green. Bill black. Back black. Chest white. Flanks and belly chestnut-brown. Eyes yellow. Eclipse Plumage: Duller. Head and breast brownish black speckled with whitish or tan. Back black with tan feather edges. Flanks light brown. May show indistinct white crescent on face behind bill. Eyes yellow.

Habitat:

Large flock at the end of Graveyard Slough on Lake Lewisville. They took flight and I only got one shot that is not well focused, but gives an idea of the number in the flock. Maybe next time :)

Notes:

Perhaps the most outwardly distinctive of the dabbling ducks, the Northern Shoveler inhabits wetlands across much of North America. Its elongated, spoon-shaped bill has comblike projections along its edges, which filter out food from the water.