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| SCIENTIFIC
CLASSIFICATION |
|
| COMMON
NAME: |
Argentine
red shoveler |
| KINGDOM: |
Animalia |
| PHYLUM: |
Chordata |
| CLASS: |
Aves |
| ORDER: |
Anseriformes |
| FAMILY: |
Anatidae
|
| GENUS
SPECIES: |
Anas
(duck) platalea (spoonbill) |
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| DESCRIPTION: |
The
Argentine red shoveler is a duck with a spatulate-shaped
bill, a green speculum and light blue upper wing
converts. |
| MALE |
The
color tones of males vary from red to paler shades
approaching pink. |
| FEMALE |
The
female has a comparatively large, dark bill. |
|
| SIZE: |
Approximately
45-56 cm (18-22.4 in.) |
|
| WEIGHT: |
Approximately
523-608 g (1.2-1.3 lbs) |
|
| DIET: |
Includes
herbs, grasses, pond weeds, wigeon grass, eelgrass,
and algae |
|
| INCUBATION: |
Approximately 25-26 days |
| CLUTCH
SIZE |
7-8
eggs |
| FLEDGING
DURATION |
40-45
days |
|
| SEXUAL
MATURITY: |
1-2 years |
|
| LIFE
SPAN: |
Averages
20-30 years |
|
| RANGE: |
Southern
half of South America |
|
| HABITAT: |
Found
in or near shallow lakes and pools with dense reed
beds, marshes and lagoons |
|
| POPULATION: |
GLOBAL |
Unknown |
|
| STATUS: |
IUCN |
Not
listed |
| CITES |
Not
listed |
| USFWS |
Not
listed |
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|
| 1. |
Males
are called drakes, females are hens, and young are
ducklings. |
|
|
| 2. |
These ducks sift the surface of the water filtering
out small animals and plants through their bill.
Lamellae, which are a series of tiny vertical slits,
are found along the upper and lower sides of the
bill. |
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|
| This
species is fairly common in its native habitats. |
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|
|
| 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. |
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