Cape Shoveler

Afrikaans name: Kaapse Slopeend

Cape Shoveler

Photo © Steven Herbert

Anas smithii

Is it a Cape Shoveler or a Cape Shoveller? It has had a slight change in the spelling of its name as it used to be the Cape Shoveller. This species is found in many parts of South Africa as well as our northern neighbours.

The distinguishing feature of this duck is the shovel (spatula) shaped bill. They reach a length of just over 50 cm. They plumage is generally brownish with a scalloped appearance. Their legs are orange. Male and female are fairly similar, but the female has a darker head and eye. There are also differences in the colouration of the wings when in flight.

The Cape Shoveler is found in wetlands, marshes and dams. It prefers marshy areas. Their main food is plant material, but they do eat some insects during the breeding season. The female builds a nest on the ground a week or so before she lays her eggs. Up to 13 eggs have been recorded in a clutch. Incubation of the eggs is solely the job of the female. She takes time off to go and feed once or twice a day. The female feeds the chicks while the duty of the male is deterring predators.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

Edition	Roberts nr	Scientific name
1st	94	Spatula capensis
2nd	94	Spatula capensis
3rd	94	Spatula capensis
4th	94	Anas smithii
5th	112	Anas smithii
6th	112	Anas smithii
7th	34	Spatula smithii

Edition	Roberts nr	English name
1st	94	Cape Shoveller
2nd	94	Cape Shoveler
3rd	94	Cape Shoveler
4th	94	Cape Shoveler
5th	112	Cape Shoveller
6th	112	Cape Shoveller
7th	34	Cape Shoveler

Edition	Roberts nr	Afrikaans name
1st	94	Kaapse Slop-eend
2nd	94	Kaapse Slopeend
3rd	94	Kaapse Slopeend
4th	94	Kaapse Slopeend
5th	112	Kaapse Slopeend
6th	112	Kaapse Slopeend
7th	34	Kaapse Slopeend

References and further reading

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 35

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 33

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 44

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 39

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 78

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 7

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 91

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 92

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 76

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 66

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 30

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 47

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 60

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 92

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 92

Gamebirds and Waterfowl of Southern Africa - Author: CG Finch-Davies, Dr Alan Kemp - Published: 1986 - Page: 63

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 68

Gamebirds of Southern Africa - 2nd edition - Author: P.A. Clancey - Published: 1967 - Page: 53

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 48

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 42

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 12

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 37

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 36

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 37

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 169

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 56

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 169

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 52

A Coloured Key to the Wildfowl of the World - Author: Peter Scott - Published: 1957 - Page: 56

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List of South African Birds