Australasian Shoveler
Spatula rhynchotis
Floats low in the water with an enormous "shovel-like" bill. Males are more brightly colored and have yellow eyes. Females are plainer brown with darker eyes. Note obvious bright orange legs when scanning a row of perched ducks. Feeds on the surface with head submerged. Usually found in large inland wetlands and sewage ponds.
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Spatula rhynchotis
- Authority
- (Latham, 1801)
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus
- Spatula
Range and habitat
- Migration
- Resident species
Conservation
- Population trend
- stable
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds

Lowland Akalat
Sheppardia cyornithopsis
A small shy akalat found in the lower levels of tall forests, often in dark shady areas near water. Note the reddish-brown back and wings, the gray face, and the bright red-orange chest contrasting with a white belly. Almost always found in lowland forest, but a few local populations are found higher up in the foothills. Within its range, most likely to be confused with Forest Robin, but note Lowland Akalat’s plain gray face and distinctive vocalizations. Song is a series of clear, melancholy whistles given with slight pauses in between, “wheeer, gowheer,” as well as faster, more resonant and metallic series of whistles.

Green-and-gold Tanager
Tangara schrankii
Small green tanager of lowland rainforest. Looks mostly green with a black mask and yellow belly. Sexes alike. One of the most common mature forest tanagers and a regular member of mixed-species flocks. Regularly seen both high in the canopy and lower inside the forest understory.

Spot-flanked Barbet
Tricholaema lacrymosa
Chunky, medium-sized black-and-white barbet. There is a black triangle on the throat and large spots on the sides of the belly. Found in a variety of habitats including moist woodland and gallery forest. Generally in lusher habitats than other closely related barbets. The two main calls are a slow series of “kwaa” notes and a fast series of nasal “kye” notes. Easily separated from similar barbets by the spotted underparts and pale eye.
Start Your Bird Watching Journey
Identify a bird outdoors and keep the field guide close for your next observation.