Cape Shoveler

Spatula smithii

The Cape shoveler or Cape shoveller (Spatula smithii) is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Spatula.

from Wikipedia

Showing stays that recordCape Shoveler30+ stays list it on site or nearby

Species insights▾

When to visit

Recorded year-round

Recorded in every month, so no month is the wrong month to look. We would rather say that than invent a best time.

Best monthsAny month

Records2,255 records

Curve from 2,255 national iNaturalist observations, not from one property. Single-month spikes are discarded as upload artefacts, and below 50 records we show no curve at all.

Where you'll find it

Western Cape and beyond

Provinces where Cape Shoveler is most recorded. Tap one to find places to stay.

Western Cape

84%Gauteng

2,255 records, iNaturalist

Places to stay

30+ results in South Africa

Rhino Ridge Safari Lodge

Hluhluwe

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Savanna biome · 285 birds recorded · African wild dog, Spotted hyena · Game drives

Price on request

Kwandwe Melton Manor

Eastern Cape

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · 207 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Kwandwe Great Fish River Lodge

Eastern Cape

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · 207 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard · Game drives

Price on request

Kwandwe Uplands Homestead

Eastern Cape

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · 207 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Kwandwe Fort House

Eastern Cape

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · 207 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Kwandwe Ecca Lodge

Eastern Cape

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Albany Thicket biome · 207 birds recorded · Lion, Leopard

Price on request

Barry House on Riverton

Robertson

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Fynbos biome · 158 birds recorded · Horse riding, Canoeing

From R 1,155 per night

Karoo Secret Farm Stay

Aberdeen

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Nama-Karoo biome · 209 birds recorded · Cycling

Supports BirdLife South Africa

From R 1,200 per night

Birdsong Cottage

Howick

Reliably seen · Birder friendly · Grassland biome · 77 birds recorded · Bushbuck, Vervet monkey · Canoeing, Fishing

From R 795 per night

Grootvadersbosch Campsites

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · 180 birds recorded · Spekboom

From R 300 per night

Grootvadersbosch Cabins

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · 180 birds recorded · Spekboom · Photography

From R 1,460 per night

Mbali Collection

Kogelberg Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · 94 birds recorded

From R 1,590 per night

Oudebosch Eco Cabins

Kogelberg Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · 94 birds recorded

From R 1,730 per night

Luiperd & Rooikat Cottages

Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · 166 birds recorded · Spekboom

From R 1,750 per night

Bakoorvos & Silwervos Cottages

Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · 166 birds recorded · Spekboom

From R 1,750 per night

Coot, Shoveler, Egret & Moorhen Cottages

Rocherpan Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · 159 birds recorded · Photography

From R 1,990 per night

Scolopia Cottage

Grootvadersbosch Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · 180 birds recorded · Spekboom

From R 1,780 per night

Kingfisher Cottage

Rocherpan Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · 159 birds recorded

From R 1,500 per night

Flamingo Cottage

Rocherpan Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · 159 birds recorded

From R 1,430 per night

Oystercatcher Cottage

Rocherpan Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · 159 birds recorded

From R 1,430 per night

Sandpiper Cottage

Rocherpan Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · 159 birds recorded

From R 1,430 per night

Ichelesi Cottage

Vrolijkheid Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Succulent Karoo biome · 166 birds recorded · Spekboom

From R 1,950 per night

Fish Eagle Loft

Goukamma Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · 175 birds recorded

From R 1,340 per night

Otter's Rest

Goukamma Nature Reserve

Cape Shoveler recorded here · Fynbos biome · 175 birds recorded

From R 1,370 per night

Plan a trip around these stays

Planning a trip

When and where to find the Cape Shoveler

Best hours of the day

The first hours after sunrise, and late afternoon. Birds call and feed most in the cool.
Midday. Quieter, especially in summer heat.

Species

Spatula smithii

Records

2 255

iNaturalist observations

Every booking on Spekboom supports conservation.

Questions travellers ask

A record means a host has seen the Cape Shoveler on the property or nearby. It is never a guarantee of a sighting.

Where can you see the Cape Shoveler in South Africa?

The Cape Shoveler is most recorded in Western Cape (84% of records), Gauteng (5% of records), based on 2 255 iNaturalist observations. 33 places to stay on Spekboom in South Africa have recorded the Cape Shoveler on site or nearby.

When is the best time to see the Cape Shoveler?

The Cape Shoveler is recorded throughout the year, so no month is the wrong month to look for it.

What is the Cape Shoveler?

The Cape shoveler or Cape shoveller (Spatula smithii) is a species of dabbling duck of the genus Spatula. It is resident in South Africa, and uncommon further north in Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, southern Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, and Zambia.