drake, as told by yellow iris, lighter-grey head (South Africa; 2007-06-30)


Cape Shoveler
Anas smithii

Native Range: Africa

Notes: an endemic species native to lakes and ponds in southern Africa; unlike its close relative the Northern Shoveler, this species shows only mild sexual dimorphism, with both sexes having a speckled-grey-brown plumage; nevertheless, the drake can be told from the hen by his paler and greyer head, his lighter-colored yellow iris, and his brighter orange legs; in flight the drake also shows a large blue patch on the forewing; gets its name from the fact that it lives in the Cape Region of Africa and the fact that its bill is large and spatulate like a shovel.

drake, as also told by its bright orange legs, feet (South Africa; 2007-06-30)