RED or ARGENTINE SHOVELER Spatula platalea

Shovelers are characterised by their distinctive bill shapes, but recent taxonomic changes have seen them in their own genus with the "blue-billed" teals and Cinnamon and Blue-winged Teal, all of which have large bills. Found over much of southern South America, this species is fairly common but prefers shallow lakes and lagoons in open areas, especially near the coast of Argentina, brackish pools being a favourite. They are often found in small groups, and Northward dispersal takes them to Brazil, where they may breed, but little is known except they are basically a resident species. Vagrants only have occurred on the Falklands, these birds were taken on Tierra del Fuego.

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