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Northern Shoveler Anas clypeata |
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The Shoveler has a very large bill, larger than its head. Just inside the bill, there are lots of small bumps along the edges. The bumps look like a very tiny comb. As it swims, the Shoveler gulps small plants and animals, and with each gulp it also gets a mouthful of mud and water. Then it just closes its mouth and pushes the mud and water out the sides of its bill. The insects and snails that came in with the water are too big to escape through the tiny “combs” on the sides. So they get swallowed. |