Scientific name: Anas clypeata Linnaeus, 1758
Bird group: Ducks
Field characters. 51 cm. Differs from all other ducks by very large, spatulate bill. Upperparts of male largely black and white, with shining green head, chestnut belly and flanks, white breast and pale blue fore-wing. In flight or in the water conspicuous pattern of black-white-black-white-black. Female brownish like female Mallard, but with less distinct head pattern. Juvenile strongly resembles female but slightly darker and with spotted underparts. Male in eclipse plumage has orange-like flanks and yellow eyes. Swims with fore-parts deeply sunk and heavy bill inclined downwards. In flight the disproportionate size of bill make the wings appear set far back. Nests in soggy meadows, marshes, and sometimes in corn fields.
Voice. In flight a low, guttural 'took, took'; a creaking 'quack' is female's note.
Distribution. Locally fairly common breeding bird.
Habitat. Shallow, muddy waters, reedy lakes and pools of marshes and grassland fringed with ample emergent vegetation.
Food. Omnivorous, using a variety of feeding methods, ranging from surface-feeding to diving. During surface-feeding it swims with neck stretched forward, sweeping the water surface with side-to-side movements of the bill. Specialised filter-feeder, taking small crustaceans, molluscs, insects and larvae and seeds of aquatic plants.
Eggs. Unmarked; ground colour light grey-green/cream/light olive-brown/buff. Texture smooth. Shape subelliptical. Size 52 x 37 mm (48-57 x 35-40), weight 40 g (35-43).