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The Northern Shoveler, known in Britain simply as the shoveler, is a distinctive species with a broad, spatulate bill that sets it apart from other ducks. The male, or drake, in breeding plumage boasts an iridescent dark green head, a white chest, and chestnut flanks and belly. When in flight, one can observe the pale blue feathers on the forewing, edged with white and set against a green speculum. The female is more subdued in color, mottled brown akin to other dabblers, but her large, gray bill with orange hints is a clear identifier.
To identify the Northern Shoveler, look for the following characteristics:
Large, spatulate bill
Males: Iridescent dark green head, white chest, chestnut belly and flanks
Females: Mottled brown, similar to a female mallard but with a distinctive bill
In flight: Pale blue forewing feathers with a white border and green speculum
Size: Length of 48 cm (19 in), wingspan of 76 cm (30 in), and weight of 600 g (1.3 lb)
The Northern Shoveler frequents open wetlands such as wet grasslands or marshes with emergent vegetation. They prefer mud-bottomed marshes rich in invertebrate life.
This species has a broad breeding range across northern Europe, the Palearctic, and most of North America. It winters in southern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. It is a rare vagrant to Australia.
Northern Shovelers are known for their unique foraging behavior, swimming rapidly in circles to create a funnel effect that brings food to the surface. They feed by dabbling for plant food and straining aquatic invertebrates from the water with their specialized bills. During the breeding season, males are territorial and perform elaborate courtship displays. They are fairly quiet, with males emitting a clunking call and females quacking like a mallard.
