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Cape Shoveler

Spatula smithii

Least Concern

Wingspan

45.8 cm

Weight

629.75 g

Family

Anatidae

Order

Anseriformes

About

A medium-sized shoveler with a characteristic large spatula-shaped bill. Males have yellow-orange eyes, brown head, and spotted brownish body; females are mottled brown. Endemic to southern Africa. Found mainly on the Western Cape's lakes and saline pans.

Physical Description

Measurement	Value	Imperial
Wingspan	45.8 cm	18.0 in
Weight	629.75 g	22.21 oz

Identification

Plumage

Dull olive-brown body mottled dark; males slightly paler with yellow-orange eye. Pale blue-gray forewing and green speculum in flight. Long spatulate bill dark. Orange-yellow legs. Sexes similar. South African endemic.

Habitat & Range

Freshwater and saline lakes, estuaries, and wetlands across southern Africa from Zimbabwe south to the Cape. Most common on the Western Cape. Tolerates saline habitats better than most ducks.

🏖️ Coastal 🌿 Wetland

Geographic Range

Breeds in sub-Arctic wetlands of Eurasia; winters on lakes and reservoirs from western Europe to eastern China and Japan.

Diet & Feeding

Eats seeds, plant matter, and aquatic invertebrates; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more invertebrate-rich in spring.

Conservation Status

Least Concern

IUCN Red List

Behavior & Breeding

Nesting

Incubation: 27-28 days. Fledging: 56-63 days.

Clutch Size

5-12

Sound

Song

Male utters a low, grunting tok note; female produces a series of soft quacks. Pairs vocalize quietly at Cape wetlands; female's quacking call is louder and more emphatic than male's.

Taxonomy

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Aves
Order	Anseriformes (Waterfowl)
Family	Anatidae (Ducks, Geese & Swans)
Genus	Spatula
Species	Spatula smithii

Distribution

Cape Shoveler has been recorded in 1 countries.

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Present Not recorded

countries highlighted

🇳🇴 Norway

External Databases

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Cape Shoveler eat?

Eats seeds, plant matter, and aquatic invertebrates; dabbles in shallow ponds; diet more invertebrate-rich in spring.

Where does the Cape Shoveler live?

Freshwater and saline lakes, estuaries, and wetlands across southern Africa from Zimbabwe south to the Cape. Most common on the Western Cape. Tolerates saline habitats better than most ducks.

Is the Cape Shoveler endangered?

The Cape Shoveler has a conservation status of Least Concern.

How does the Cape Shoveler nest?

Incubation: 27-28 days. Fledging: 56-63 days.

What does the Cape Shoveler sound like?

Male utters a low, grunting tok note; female produces a series of soft quacks. Pairs vocalize quietly at Cape wetlands; female's quacking call is louder and more emphatic than male's.

How big is the Cape Shoveler?

The Cape Shoveler has a wingspan of 45.8 cm, weight of 629.75 g.

What order and family does the Cape Shoveler belong to?

The Cape Shoveler (Spatula smithii) belongs to the order Anseriformes and the family Anatidae.