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Australasian Shoveler (Spatula rhynchotis)

The Australasian Shoveler is a medium-sized dabbling duck that filters small aquatic prey and seeds from open water with its broad, spoon-shaped bill. In the supplied Australian records it is listed as Vulnerable in Victoria, with a record within 5 km of the Maddingley Brown Coal site dated 21 February 2019, so wetlands, dams, creeks and connected downstream habitats require attention during project planning and works.

Conservation status

Victoria, Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988: Vulnerable.

Breeding season

The supplied breeding account is from New Zealand, while the Australian material provides a Victorian record but no month-by-month Australian phenology. The following calendar uses the documented breeding timing and general project risk principle that ground nests and dependent broods are most vulnerable during nesting and rearing.

Calendar months are indicative for project screening. Confirm timing from local observations, current atlas records and pre-clearing surveys.

  • Movement and flocking: The species is highly mobile and commonly occurs in flocks for much of the year. Exact Australian movement months are not provided.
  • Courtship and territory selection: Communal courtship is documented in July and August, followed by selection of small, secluded ponds and drains.
  • Nesting and incubation: Nesting is documented in October. Incubation lasts 24 to 25 days and is performed by the female.
  • Dependent young: Ducklings are raised by the female for about 8 weeks and become independent at approximately 56 to 60 days. The timing shown follows October nesting in the supplied account.
  • Movement and dispersal: The species is highly mobile, with movements influenced by weather and wetland conditions. Australian movement and dispersal dates are not provided.
  • Highest clearing risk: Highest risk is expected during documented nesting and the following dependent-young period, with additional risk during July and August when birds select breeding territories. Confirm local occupancy before works because Australian timing is not provided.

Identification

The Australasian Shoveler is a medium-sized duck with a very broad, spoon-shaped bill. The bill is nearly twice as broad at the tip as at the base, making it the most conspicuous field feature.

Adult males have a blue-grey head and neck, a white crescent at the base of the black bill, a mottled brown and white breast, chestnut flanks and a large white patch at the tail base. The eye is yellow and the legs are bright orange.

Females are uniformly mottled light brown, with a dull brown bill and eye and brown-orange legs. In flight, the species has a large bill, pointed wings, rapid wingbeats and contrasting blue, white and green upper-wing patches.

Male length: 46 to 53 cm overall species length; male weight 570 to 850 g.

Female weight: 545 to 745 g.

Identification: Similar species

The rare Northern Shoveler may cause confusion. Females are essentially indistinguishable in the supplied account.

A male Northern Shoveler in breeding plumage has a green head and a prominent white breast, rather than the Australasian Shoveler's blue-grey head and neck, white bill-base crescent, chestnut flanks and white tail-base patch.

Identification: Field signs

The species is rarely vocal. Displaying males give a rapid chuff-chuff call, while females may give a descending quack quack quack call.

Nests are shallow, lined scrapes on the ground, usually in long grass near water. Broods are precocial and are rarely active or conspicuous during the day.

No species-specific information on tracks, scats, eyeshine or other terrestrial signs is provided. Identification should rely on the bill shape, plumage, calls, open-water feeding behaviour and direct observation.

  • Record the bill profile, head colour, bill-base crescent, flank colour, tail-base patch, eye colour and leg colour where visibility allows.
  • Check sheltered open water, wetland margins and adjacent long grass for nests before disturbance.
  • Treat a large duck with a broad spoon-shaped bill on a freshwater wetland as a potential Australasian Shoveler until confirmed.

Distribution: Australian records

The supplied documents confirm the species in Victoria and provide a local record near Maddingley, but they do not set out a complete Australian state distribution, bioregional range or national population estimate.

Australasian Shoveler is listed as Vulnerable in Victoria in the supplied conservation material. It is not listed under the EPBC Act in the supplied species listing.

A record was reported within 5 km of the Maddingley Brown Coal site, with the latest observation dated 21 February 2019. The supplied material also places the site in the Werribee River catchment, with Parwan Creek running through the site and the Werribee River approximately 1.4 km away.

Victorian status: Vulnerable.

EPBC Act status: Not listed in the supplied listing.

Reported local record: Within 5 km of Maddingley Brown Coal, latest observation 21 February 2019.

Distribution: Range and population

The supplied species account describes Australasian Shovelers as widespread throughout the North and South Islands of New Zealand, with occasional records on Stewart Island, the Chatham Islands and other offshore islands. It does not provide the Australian range by state or bioregion.

The same account gives a New Zealand population estimate of approximately 15,000 to 30,000 birds and reports a small, steady decline in an annual survey of about 250 lakes from 2000 to 2011. These figures are for New Zealand and must not be applied to the Australian population.

Population estimate provided: Approximately 15,000 to 30,000 birds in New Zealand, not an Australian estimate.

Reported New Zealand trend: Small and steady decline from 2000 to 2011 in surveys of about 250 lakes.

  • Use current state and territory atlases, wetland databases and project area surveys to define the Australian distribution for a site assessment.
  • Check connected wetlands and downstream waterbodies because the species is highly mobile and uses wetland networks.

Habitat: Wetland types

Australasian Shovelers use freshwater wetlands with open water and nearby cover. The supplied local material identifies Parwan Creek, dams and the Werribee River catchment as relevant aquatic settings near a Victorian project site.

The species mainly occurs on large freshwater wetlands. It may also use sheltered estuaries, brackish lakes, dune lakes, temporary wetlands and sewage ponds.

At the Maddingley site, Parwan Creek and other dams were identified as aquatic habitats requiring consideration. Parwan Creek connects toward the Werribee River and Melton Reservoir.

Habitat: Habitat structure

Open water is important for feeding. Long grass near water provides nesting habitat.

Wetland connectivity is relevant because the species is highly mobile and may use several waterbodies over the year. Maintain aquatic habitat, wetland margins and nearby grass cover when planning clearing or construction.

  • Map all dams, creek pools, wetland depressions and connected downstream waterbodies within and downstream of the project area.
  • Retain undisturbed grass and cover beside suitable water where practicable, particularly during the breeding season.
  • Prevent sediment, contaminated runoff and waste from entering wetlands and connected waterways.

Habitat: Elevation and climate

The supplied documents do not provide elevation limits or Australian climate limits. They do describe use of temporary wetlands and movement in response to weather and water conditions, so habitat availability may vary between seasons and years.

Foraging habitat: Food and feeding method

Australasian Shovelers are specialist filter-feeders. They forage mainly in open water rather than at the wetland margin.

The broad bill carries fine lamellae along much of the upper mandible. The bird pushes surface water through these structures to retain small plankton, freshwater molluscs, crustaceans and insects.

Small seeds from aquatic plants are also eaten. Birds occasionally upend to feed from the wetland floor, but most feeding occurs in open water.

Main prey: Small freshwater molluscs, crustaceans and insects.

Plant food: Small seeds from many aquatic plants.

Primary feeding area: Open water, with occasional feeding on the wetland floor.

Foraging habitat: Project considerations

Changes to water quality, wetland depth, aquatic vegetation and invertebrate availability may reduce feeding habitat. The supplied local correspondence raises potential contamination and stormwater pathways from industrial waste areas into Parwan Creek.

Avoid directing sediment, contaminated stormwater or waste into dams, creeks and downstream wetlands. Inspect open water before works and record birds using the site, including the number of birds, behaviour and waterbody used.

  • Maintain clean surface water flows to occupied or suitable wetlands.
  • Keep stockpiles, contaminated soil and hard waste away from creek banks and drainage lines.
  • Survey connected waterbodies as well as the immediate construction footprint where works could alter water quality or flows.

Breeding habitat: Breeding biology

Breeding occurs near wetlands, with nests placed on the ground in long grass. The female incubates the eggs and raises the ducklings.

Courtship is described as communal and concentrated at traditional lakes in July and August. Pairs then prospect small, secluded ponds and drains, and nesting occurs in October.

The nest is a shallow bowl on the ground. Adjacent fine vegetation may be incorporated into the lining, with down feathers added. The female incubates the eggs and raises the ducklings.

Breeding season: Courtship in July and August; nesting in October in the supplied species account.

Social structure: Monogamous.

Clutch size: 5 to 14 eggs, mean 10.

Incubation: 24 to 25 days, by the female.

Young: Precocial ducklings raised by the female for about 8 weeks.

Age at independence: Approximately 56 to 60 days.

Age at first breeding: Typically 1 year.

Maximum longevity: 7 years.

Breeding habitat: Breeding habitat features

Breeding habitat includes small, secluded ponds and drains, with long grass near water for nesting. Breeding and feeding territories are defended by males.

Ground-nest searches should extend beyond the water edge into adjacent grass. A nest may be difficult to detect because broods are rarely active or conspicuous during the day.

  • Inspect long grass beside suitable ponds, drains and wetland margins before clearing or intensive disturbance.
  • Establish practical no-go or low-disturbance areas around confirmed nests and broods in accordance with the relevant permit, approval and wildlife handling requirements.
  • Avoid unnecessary disturbance around traditional or repeatedly used wetlands during courtship and nesting.

Sheltering habitat: Roosting and cover

The supplied documents do not describe roost structures, refuges or shelter dimensions in detail. The species account indicates that birds use secluded wetland settings and adjacent long grass, and that flocks occur for much of the year.

Australasian Shovelers generally occur in flocks for much of the year and use large freshwater wetlands, sheltered lakes and other still or slow waters. Secluded ponds and drains are associated with breeding and may provide quiet refuge.

Long grass beside water provides cover for nests and may also reduce exposure of females and broods.

  • Retain quiet open-water areas and connected wetland margins where birds are observed resting or feeding.
  • Avoid unnecessary night lighting, vehicle access and repeated disturbance at occupied wetlands.
  • Inspect dense grass near water for nests before clearing.

Sheltering habitat: Structures not recorded

No information is provided on burrows, tree hollows, caves, roost tree dimensions, tracks, eyeshine or species-specific refuge dimensions. This is a duck that nests on the ground rather than in a hollow or burrow.

Threats: Habitat loss and disturbance

The main project risks are loss or disturbance of wetlands and wetland margins, reduced water quality, altered hydrology and disturbance of ground nests and broods. The species is listed as Vulnerable in Victoria in the supplied material.

Clearing long grass beside ponds, drains and wetland margins can remove nesting habitat. Filling, isolating or repeatedly disturbing dams and other open-water habitats can reduce feeding, breeding and refuge areas.

Fragmentation of wetland connections may affect a highly mobile species that uses wetland networks and may move between waterbodies.

  • Map and avoid clearing suitable open water, wetland margins and long grass near water where practicable.
  • Retain movement and drainage connections between wetlands unless an approved design requires otherwise.
  • Schedule intrusive works outside periods when nests, broods or concentrated flocks are present, where practicable.

Threats: Hydrology and water quality

Stormwater, sediment, industrial waste, contaminated soil, PFAS and heavy metals were identified as potential risks to Parwan Creek and downstream waters near the Maddingley site. Such inputs can affect aquatic prey, aquatic plants and the quality of feeding habitat.

Changes to wetland water levels, drying patterns or drainage can reduce the availability of temporary and permanent feeding habitat.

  • Use sediment and erosion controls around wetlands, drains and creek lines.
  • Keep contaminated materials and stockpiles away from waterways and prevent runoff from entering them.
  • Monitor water quality and water levels where works could affect occupied or suitable wetlands.

Threats: Fire, roads and predators

The supplied documents do not identify a species-specific fire threshold, road mortality rate, disease problem or predator impact for Australasian Shovelers.

As general field practice, assess fire, vehicle movement, domestic or feral animal access and other disturbance where these affect wetland margins, nests, broods or roosting birds.

  • Do not drive through shallow wetlands, wetland margins or adjacent nesting cover without checking for birds and nests.
  • Control vehicle speed and access near occupied wetlands, especially during breeding and brood-rearing periods.
  • Record and report unusual mortality or sick birds through the relevant wildlife authority.

Survey methodology: 1. Habitat and waterbody inspection

Australasian Shovelers use large freshwater wetlands, sheltered estuaries, brackish lakes, temporary wetlands and sewage ponds. They feed mainly in open water and are mobile, so surveys should cover all suitable waterbodies connected to the works area.

Map all permanent and temporary wetlands, dams, farm ponds, drainage lines, sewage ponds, estuary margins and connected waterways within the project area and adjoining retained habitat.

Record open-water area, emergent vegetation, water depth where practical, shoreline cover, access points and connections between wetlands.

Treat open water as the primary search area because the species generally feeds by filtering surface water or mud in open water rather than at the wetland margin.

Survey methodology: 2. Vantage-point water counts

Count birds from concealed or low-disturbance vantage points around each suitable wetland, including birds on open water, along the shoreline and flying to or from the site.

Use observations at different times of day where access and project timing allow, and record the date, start and finish time, weather, water conditions, observer position and number of birds.

Look for the large spoon-shaped bill, rapid wingbeats, flocking behaviour and, in breeding-plumaged males, a blue-grey head, white crescent at the bill base, chestnut flanks and white tail-base patch.

Survey methodology: 3. Seasonal and repeat coverage

Repeat counts where a wetland is suitable but unoccupied on the first visit because Australasian Shovelers are highly mobile and may move between wetlands.

Include surveys during periods when the wetland holds water and before works that could alter water levels, drainage or shoreline vegetation.

Give particular attention to traditional or repeatedly used wetlands because the species commonly occurs in flocks for much of the year and uses selected sites for communal moulting.

Survey methodology: 4. Records and detection limits

Record positive observations with coordinates, estimated flock size, sex or age class where possible, behaviour, habitat used and photographs where these can be obtained without disturbance.

Record a nil result separately from an unsuitable habitat result, and describe whether poor visibility, access, turbid water, dense vegetation or disturbance limited detection.

Do not rely on spotlighting, cage trapping or call playback as primary methods for this duck unless a regulator or project-specific survey design requires them.

Survey methodology: Minimum effort and reporting

Local record supplied: 21 February 2019, within 5 km of the Maddingley Brown Coal site

Victorian advisory status in supplied records: Vulnerable

National status supplied in the profile: Not listed under the EPBC Act

  • Survey every suitable wetland and connected waterbody that may be affected by clearing, earthworks, dewatering, noise, lighting, sediment discharge or changed drainage.
  • Use repeat water counts when the first visit is negative but suitable habitat remains available, and document the reason for the number and timing of repeat visits because the supplied documents do not prescribe a species-specific survey effort.
  • Submit confirmed records, including nil or uncertain results where required by the project, to the relevant Victorian wildlife database or other relevant state wildlife database.
  • Report the latest known local record separately from a new project observation; the supplied local records include an Australasian Shoveler observation on 21 February 2019 within 5 km of the Maddingley site.

Before habitat disturbance: Avoid and minimise

The main pre-clearance risk is loss or disturbance of open-water feeding habitat and connected wetlands. The species is listed as Vulnerable in Victoria in the supplied records, although it is not listed under the EPBC Act in the profile.

  • Retain wetlands, dams, open-water areas, vegetated shorelines and drainage connections wherever practicable.
  • Avoid filling, draining, dredging or isolating waterbodies used by the species, and keep project runoff, sediment and contaminated materials out of connected waterways.
  • Retain a continuous movement pathway between occupied or suitable wetlands and nearby waterways where the project layout allows.
  • Keep machinery, stockpiles, contaminated soil and waste away from wetland edges and drainage lines.

Before habitat disturbance: Approvals and planning

  • Check the Victorian threatened-species requirements before works because the supplied records classify Australasian Shoveler as Vulnerable in Victoria.
  • Confirm whether the proposed action affects any other nationally listed species or protected matters; the supplied profile states that Australasian Shoveler is not listed under the EPBC Act.
  • Obtain any required state permits, wildlife authorisations, waterway approvals and local planning approvals before clearing or disturbing wetland habitat.
  • Prepare a fauna management plan that identifies wetlands, exclusion areas, inspection points, stop-work triggers, authorised handlers, reporting contacts and arrangements for injured wildlife.

Before habitat disturbance: Site preparation

  • Complete a pre-clearance inspection of every wetland and waterbody that could be affected, including areas downstream of the works.
  • Mark no-go wetland areas, retained open water, shoreline buffers, access routes and drainage controls before machinery enters the site.
  • Install exclusion fencing where it can prevent machinery entry without blocking the species' movement between retained wetlands.
  • Stage works so that dewatering, vegetation removal and earthworks do not occur while birds are using the affected wetland, unless the approved management plan allows the activity.

During habitat disturbance: Daily controls and machinery coordination

Australasian Shovelers may leave when approached, so disturbance controls should focus on keeping machinery and people away from occupied open water and preventing indirect impacts through sediment, waste or contaminated runoff.

  • The fauna spotter catcher should inspect the work area and all wetland exclusion zones at the start of each day and after any change in work location.
  • Keep machinery on approved access routes and use a spotter to maintain the agreed separation from wetlands and occupied water while plant is operating.
  • Stop or redirect work if birds enter the active work area, if machinery approaches a retained wetland, or if sediment, waste or contaminated water is entering a wetland or drainage line.
  • Maintain erosion, sediment, dust, lighting and spill controls throughout the shift, particularly where runoff can reach Parwan Creek, the Werribee River or another connected waterway.

During habitat disturbance: If a bird is found

  • Ask all workers to stop, withdraw machinery and reduce noise while the fauna spotter catcher assesses whether the bird can leave without handling.
  • Do not chase, catch or move a healthy bird unless the authorised fauna spotter catcher and the approved fauna management plan require it.
  • If relocation is authorised, move the bird only to nearby suitable retained wetland habitat with open water and a safe flight path, and record the release location and time.
  • Place an injured bird in a secure, ventilated container only if the authorised handler considers this safe, and transfer it promptly to a veterinarian or licensed wildlife carer.
  • Do not handle the bird outside the handler's authority, and contact the relevant wildlife regulator if the required authorisation or procedure is unclear.

During habitat disturbance: Stop-work and records

  • Stop work where an Australasian Shoveler is trapped, injured, unable to leave, repeatedly displaced, or exposed to contaminated water, waste or uncontrolled sediment.
  • Stop work if the project damages a wetland, blocks a drainage connection or changes water levels outside the approved method.
  • Record each sighting, attempted movement, injury, death, release, work stoppage and corrective action, with coordinates, date, time, habitat, photos where appropriate and names of the people involved.
  • Escalate any threatened-species incident to the project environmental officer and the relevant regulator in line with the approval and fauna management plan.

After habitat disturbance: Post-clearance inspection

Post-work checks should confirm that retained wetlands remain usable and that the project has not reduced access to open water or connected habitat.

  • Inspect each affected wetland, drainage connection, shoreline and sediment control after clearing and after major rainfall or earthworks.
  • Check for stranded or injured birds, blocked movement routes, new barriers, floating waste, sediment deposition, oil or other contamination.
  • Remove temporary fencing and access controls only when the area is stable and the approved fauna management plan permits removal.

After habitat disturbance: Monitoring and reporting

  • Repeat water counts at retained or restored wetlands where the project approval requires monitoring, using the same vantage points and recording method used before works.
  • Compare bird presence, flock size, water availability and habitat condition with pre-work records, while recognising that this mobile species may move between wetlands.
  • Report all confirmed project records and incidents to the project environmental officer and submit records to the relevant state wildlife database.
  • Maintain erosion, sediment, spill and water-quality controls until disturbed areas are stable and no longer connected to wetlands.

After habitat disturbance: Offsets and corrective action

  • Apply any approved Victorian offset, habitat compensation or restoration requirement where residual impacts on habitat remain.
  • If monitoring identifies loss of open water, reduced wetland connectivity or repeated disturbance, implement the approved corrective action and notify the relevant regulator.
  • Do not treat an absence of birds after works as proof that impacts are absent because the species is highly mobile.

Rehabilitation actions: Wetland and vegetation restoration

Rehabilitation should restore functioning wetland habitat, especially open water used for feeding, safe shoreline cover and connections to other wetlands. The supplied documents do not prescribe a species-specific restoration design, so use the approved wetland design and local ecological advice.

  • Reinstate or protect open-water areas with a range of depths and gently sloping margins where this is consistent with the approved design.
  • Restore natural drainage connections and avoid creating isolated ponds that cannot retain suitable water or provide safe movement between wetlands.
  • Use locally appropriate native wetland and shoreline plants, with species selection based on the local vegetation community and water regime.
  • Retain some secluded grass or low vegetation near water because the species uses cover near wetlands, while keeping sufficient open water for feeding.

Rehabilitation actions: Habitat protection and threats

  • Control weeds and prevent dense invasive growth from replacing open water or native wetland vegetation.
  • Prevent contaminated runoff, sediment, litter, oil and other waste from entering restored or retained wetlands.
  • Manage introduced predators and domestic animals where they threaten wetland birds, in accordance with the approved management plan.
  • Plan fire management so that wetland margins, sheltering vegetation and restored habitat are not removed unnecessarily.

Rehabilitation actions: Monitoring and success measures

  • Inspect restored wetlands for water retention, open-water area, functioning drainage connections, stable shorelines and native vegetation establishment.
  • Use repeat bird counts to check whether Australasian Shovelers and other wetland birds use the restored habitat, and record flock size, behaviour and habitat used.
  • Set success measures in the rehabilitation plan for wetland hydrology, water quality, vegetation cover, weed control, connectivity and bird use.
  • Continue monitoring until the site meets the approved rehabilitation criteria, and submit results and confirmed wildlife records to the relevant state wildlife database.

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