# Anas platalea The Anas platalea, also known as the spoon-billed sandpiper, is a unique bird with a special spoon-shaped bill. They love to wade in shallow waters and look for tasty bugs and small fish to eat. - **Category:** [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/bird) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Anas platalea](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Anas_platalea_-WWT_Slimbridge_-England-8.jpg&width=800) Photo: Mark Robinson, CC BY 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Anas_platalea_-WWT_Slimbridge_-England-8.jpg) ## Appearance The Anas platalea has a remarkably large, spoon-shaped bill perfect for straining water. Males boast an iridescent green head, white breast, and rusty flanks, making them distinct. Females are mottled brown, helping them blend into their surroundings. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Aves - **Order:** Anseriformes - **Family:** Anatidae - **Genus:** Spatula ## Interesting facts - Male shovelers look like they have a bright green helmet on their head! - Sometimes, a group of shovelers will filter feed together in a spinning 'carrousel!' - They often swim in circles to stir up tiny food from the bottom for easier eating. - Unlike other ducks, their long bill has special comb-like plates to sift out food! ## Special abilities - **Filter Feeding Bill:** Anas platalea has a large, flattened bill that helps them strain tiny plants and animals from the water. - **Dabbling Skill:** Anas platalea can feed by 'dabbling,' tipping their body forward to reach food without fully submerging. - **Strong Flight:** Anas platalea can fly long distances because of their strong wings, which helps them migrate. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 44-52 cm - **Wingspan:** 70-84 cm - **Weight:** 0.4-1.1 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-15 years - **Speed:** 70 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 8-12 - **Incubation:** 22-28 days - **Migration Distance:** 3000 km ## Diet & Feeding They strain tiny plants, animals, and seeds from the water with their unique bill. - **Primary Foods:** Zooplankton, Aquatic insects, Small crustaceans, Algae, Plant seeds - **Foraging Method:** Filter feeding ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Bald Eagle](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bald-eagle) (*Haliaeetus leucocephalus*) — prey for large raptors - **Eats:** Common Water Flea (*Daphnia pulex*) — a primary food source of zooplankton - **Eats:** Midge larva (*Chironomus plumosus*) — larval insects filtered from mud - **Depends on:** Common Cattail (*Typha latifolia*) — uses dense cattails for nesting cover ## Traits - [Feathered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/feathered): Feathered describes animals, primarily birds, possessing a covering of feathers. - [Webbed Feet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/webbed-feet): Characterized by having toes connected by a membrane, typically aiding in swimming. - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Insectivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/insectivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet primarily consists of insects and other small invertebrates. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Coastal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/coastal): Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night. - [Migratory](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/migratory): Migratory animals undertake seasonal movements from one region to another, typically in response to changes in climate or food availability. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Birds](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/birds) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low Always watch birds from a distance and do not try to touch or chase them. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Anas platalea? Compare the silhouette, bill shape, tail length, wing bars and markings around the eyes. The same small brown bird at your feeder can look quite different in breeding plumage, winter plumage or its first year. Bird Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Anas platalea? 44-52 cm ### What is Anas platalea's wingspan? 70-84 cm ### How much does Anas platalea weigh? 0.4-1.1 kg ### How long does Anas platalea live? 10-15 years ### How fast can Anas platalea move? 70 km/h ### What does Anas platalea eat? They strain tiny plants, animals, and seeds from the water with their unique bill. ### Where is Anas platalea usually found? Wetlands ## More Birds - [Black-crowned Night Heron](https://www.snappit.app/explore/black-crowned-night-heron) (*Nycticorax nycticorax*) - [Anna's Hummingbird](https://www.snappit.app/explore/annas-hummingbird) (*Calypte anna*) - [Great Egret](https://www.snappit.app/explore/great-egret) (*Ardea alba*) - [Blue Jay](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blue-jay) (*Cyanocitta cristata*) --- Source: [Anas platalea: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/anas-platalea)