Northern Shoveler in flight

The distinctive large bill of this uncommon migratory duck makes identification in the field quite easy. This female was flying full speed in a slightly upward trajectory when I caught it at Candaba wetlands. The background was out-of-focus pond water and vegetation.

This duck is medium large (19 inch length and 31 inch wingspan). When coming in to land as a group, their swift flight makes an audible swoosh sound as their wings slice through the air. They feed by swimming with their neck outstretched and lower mandible below the water, sifting floating vegetation.

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Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata, migrant, female)

Habitat – Uncommon in fresh water marshes and shallow lakes.

Shooting Info – Candaba wetlands, Pampanga, Philippines, March 5, 2007, Canon 1D MII + EF 500 f4 L IS + Canon 1.4x TC II, 700 mm, f/7.1, ISO 320, 1/1600 sec, manual exposure in available light, 475B/3421 support.