Distribution and Habitat

The Blue-winged Shoveler prefers permanent, well-vegetated wetlands with areas of open water. Habitat may be freshwater or saline. Usually an uncommon duck, the Blue-winged Shoveler is distributed throughout south-eastern and south-western Australia, preferring inland cumbungi swamps and coastal tea-tree swamps.

Status

The Blue-winged Shoveler is available for recreational hunting in Victoria and South Australia.

Description

The Blue-winged Shoveler is a distinctive species with a slender build and a broad, blue-grey bill. The male is more colourful than the female and has a blue-grey head and neck, white face crescent, black back, a white patch on the rump and a deep chestnut-coloured belly. The colouring of the male fades when not in breeding condition. The male has bright yellow to orange legs and feet and is the only native duck to do so. The female is predominantly brown with a light chestnut-coloured belly.

In flight, the Blue-winged Shoveler has very quick wing beats with a distinctive whirr, white underwings, large pale patches on upperwing and the male has bright orange legs. In flight, the Blue-winged Shoveler appears much darker than other waterfowl and the wedge-shaped head is obvious.

On the water, the Blue-winged Shoveler is a medium-sized duck which floats low, has a distinctive wedge-shaped head and the male has a white patch on its rump.

Voice

Blue-winged Shovelers are seldom heard but do have a soft chatter when flying.