Dabbling ducks of the genus Spatula |
Posted by jan VIP ,
Ducks of the genus Spatula Usually placed in Anas like most dabbling ducks, some species stand well apart from typical Anas-species as the mallard. Shovelers and their relatives form a "blue-winged" group that may warrant separation as genus Spatula (del Hoyo and Collar 2014). The arrangement is based on current morphological, molecular, and behavioral characters and presents apparent major evolutionary grouping compared to the subgenera the species were placed in at one time or another. Recognition of this genus is supported by genetic findings (Gonzalez et. al, 2009). The genus Spatula, as mentioned above, includes the following species: Above: adult drake Red shoveler.