Australasian shoveler

I had never seen one of these before. The Australasian shoveler is a species of dabbling duck in the genus Anas. It ranges from 46–53 cm. and lives in heavily vegetated swamps. In Australia it is protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974. Meaning they are not fair game for duck shooters.

The shoveler is a  is a low-floating, dark headed duck, with a low sloping forehead blending to a heavy, square-cut, shovel-tipped bill. The male in breeding plumage is quite striking. Taken at Laratinga Wetlands, Mt. Barker.