Argentine Red Shoveler Argentine Red Shoveler
Argentine Red Shoveler

Scientific Classification

Common Name
Argentine red shoveler
Kingdom
Animalia
Phylum
Chordata
Class
Aves
Order
Anseriformes
Family
Anatidae
Genus Species
Anas (duck) platalea (spoonbill)

Fast Facts

Description
The Argentine red shoveler is a duck with a spatulate-shaped bill, a green speculum, and light blue upper wing converts. The males may vary from red to pink. The female has a comparatively large, dark bill.
Size
Approximately 45 to 56 cm (18 to 22.4 in.)
Weight
Approximately 523 to 608 g (1.2 to 1.3 lbs.)
Diet
Includes herbs, grasses, pond weeds, wigeon grass, eelgrass, and algae
Incubation
Approximately 25 to 26 days
Clutch Size
7 to 8 eggs
Fledging Duration
40 to 45 days
Sexual Maturity
1 to 2 years
Life Span
Averages 20 to 30 years
Range
This species has an extremely large range and can be found in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Falkland Islands, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay.
Habitat
Found in or near shallow lakes and pools with dense reed beds, marshes and lagoons
Population
The total population is unknown but scientists believe that there are at least 10,000 mature individuals. The population is stable and not severely fragmented.
Status 
IUCN: Least Concern
CITES: Not listed
USFWS:  Not listed

Fun Facts

Males are called drakes, females are hens, and young are called ducklings.

These ducks sift the surface of the water filtering out small animals and plants through their bill. They have tiny vertical slits known as lamellae along the upper and lower sides of the bill.


Ecology and Conservation

This species is fairly common in its native habitats.


Bibliography

Austin, G. Birds of the World. New York. Golden Press, Inc., 1961.

Gotch, A.F. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained. UK. Blandford Books Ltd., 1981.

Johnsgard, P. Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World. Lincoln. Univ. Of Neb. Press, 1978.

Scott, P. A Coloured Key of the Wildfowl of the World. Slimbridge, England. The Wildfowl Trust. 1988.

Todd, F.S. Natural History of Waterfowl. San Diego, Ca. Ibis Publishing Co., 1996.

BirdLife International. 2016. Spatula platalea. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22680240A92852309. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22680240A92852309.en. Downloaded on 03 December 2018.