Description
Anas rhynchotis variegata, Australasian Shoveler, New Zealand subspecies. Common. Rarely seen away from the water because it can't eat grass. Sieves seeds, small plants, insects etc from the water. These two are at the Nga Manu Nature Reserve.
The light wasn't the best - so the image isn't the sharpest - but it's such a nice pair. Cropped it a bit, reduced it in size and applied a little unsharp-mask. I had to fix the white balance, hopefully the colours aren't too far off.
Date 20 June 2006, 13:28:41
Source originally posted to Flickr as Australasian Shoveler - Kuruwhengi - Anas rhynchotis (Anatidae) http://flickr.com/photos/68608379@N00/183116387
Author Michael Hamilton http://flickr.com/photos/68608379@N00
Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anas-rhynchotis-variegata.jpg

The Australasian shoveler (Anas rhynchotis) is a species of dabbling duck in the genus Anas. It ranges from 46–53 cm. It lives in heavily vegetated swamps. In Australia it is protected under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974. They occur in southwestern and southeastern Australia, Tasmania, and New Zealand. The male has a blue-grey head with a vertical white crescent in front of the eyes. The status of the Australasian shoveler is least concern. Order: Anseriformes, Family: Anatidae, Subfamily: Anatinae.
Subspecies:
Anas rhynchotis rhynchotis Australian shoveler, the nominate race, occurs in southwestern and southeastern Australia and Tasmania.
Anas rhynchotis variegata New Zealand shoveler, occurs in New Zealand.