Northern Shoveler, Pegasus, Canterbury.

[Steve Wood]

Thanks for your reply Oscar.

Just to clarify, as there seem to be some confusion (for me anyway) with the ID of some of these Northern Shovelers seen around the country in recent times:

Could someone from the Rare Bird Committee clarify why Russ Canning’s Northern Shoveler (16th July 2021) was not accepted, as “hybridisation could not be ruled out”. Please could you specify what that was based on.
Yet an identical bird (in my opinion) Janet Burton saw at Bromley poo ponds, May 2019, was accepted as a Northern. Could the committee detail the differences between these two birds, please.
This would be very helpful.

Is it correct that the following features define a male Northern Shoveler ?

1. A dark green head
2. Clean, white breast, speckled in eclipse plumage
3. Bold, bright chestnut flanks
4. Bold, white braces
5. Pale, narrow facial crescent in eclipse

Thanks in advance.