Shoveler ducks/kuruwhengi have their own built-in comb
Shoveler ducks/kuruwhengi (Spatula rhynchotis) are unusual looking. When I saw my first pair last year at the Hutt Estuary I had no idea what I was looking at and hurried home to consult my birding books. Their wide bills set them apart reminding me of distinguished aquiline noses. They have visible lamellae, like a comb, that hang down from their upper beak that they use to filter plankton, fine seeds, and other tasty titbits from the water. There is a pair I've seen a couple of times lately on the little beach behind the sea scouts at the mouth of the Hutt River, a female mallard is keeping them company, possibly as protection from the male mallards that seem to be a bit rampant at this time of year. They make an odd trio, like a sheep dog hanging out with a couple of greyhounds.
Neighbourhood Challenge: Who Can Crack This One? ⛓️💥❔
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Poll: Is it ok to regift something that you have been given?
🎁 Holiday Gift Chat!
Do you ever regift?
What’s your take on asking for a receipt if a gift doesn’t fit?
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77.9% Yes! It's better to regift what I don't need
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22.1% No. It's the thought and effort that matters
Stamps wanted
I run a Stamp club at Tawa School to encourage children to collect stamps and learn about countries, history and more. Unfortunately new stamps aren't often seen these days as it's all electronic! If you have any stamps or old collections sitting around, let me know and I'll come and get them.
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