Species Profile
Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeata
Quick Facts
Conservation
LCLeast ConcernAlso known as: Shoveler
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Appearance
The Northern Shoveler is easily recognised by its large, spatula-shaped bill. Males in breeding plumage have a striking green head, white breast, and chestnut flanks. Their back is dark, and they display a blue patch on the forewing.
Females are mottled brown with a blue speculum. Their bill and feet are yellowish-orange, and their eyes are brown or brownish-yellow.
In eclipse plumage, males resemble females but retain their distinctive bill shape and brighter blue wing patches as well as having darker heads.
Identification & Characteristics
Male Colors
- Primary
- Green
- Secondary
- Blue
- Beak
- Black
- Legs
- Orange
Female Colors
- Primary
- Brown
- Secondary
- White
- Beak
- Orange
- Legs
- Orange
Female Markings
Mottled brown plumage with pale edges on feathers
Attributes
Understanding Attributes
Rated 0–100 based on research and observation. A score of 50 is average across all bird species. These attributes are relative and don't necessarily indicate superiority.
Habitat & Distribution
Northern Shovelers inhabit shallow wetlands, marshes, and ponds across North America, Europe, and Asia. They prefer freshwater habitats but can also be found in brackish areas.
During the breeding season, they occupy northern latitudes while wintering in southern regions.
In the UK, they are year-round residents, with numbers boosted by winter migrants from northern Europe.
Distribution
Where to See This Bird
Explore regional guides for locations where this bird has been recorded.
United Kingdom
England
Northern Ireland
Wales
Bedfordshire
Rutland
Cambridgeshire
Buckinghamshire
Cumbria
Berkshire
Cheshire
Derbyshire
Devon
Dorset
Durham
East Riding of Yorkshire
Essex
East Sussex
Gloucestershire
Hampshire
Herefordshire
Hertfordshire
Isle of Wight
Kent
London
Merseyside
Lancashire
Leicestershire
Lincolnshire
Manchester
Northumberland
Norfolk
Northamptonshire
Nottinghamshire
North Yorkshire
Oxfordshire
South Yorkshire
Tyne and Wear
West Midlands
Suffolk
Shropshire
Somerset
Surrey
Staffordshire
Stockton-on-Tees
Warwickshire
Wiltshire
West Yorkshire
Worcestershire
West Sussex
Diet
Northern Shovelers primarily feed on aquatic invertebrates, seeds, and plant matter. Their specialised bill allows them to strain food from the water, often swimming in tight circles to create a vortex that concentrates prey. They also dabble and occasionally upend to reach submerged vegetation.
Water beetles, minnows, and snails are also commonly eaten.
Behaviour
Northern Shovelers often swim with their bills submerged, filtering water for food. They form loose flocks during migration and winter.
These ducks are generally quiet but can be territorial during breeding season, with males performing elaborate courtship displays.
Calls & Sounds
Northern Shovelers are relatively quiet ducks. Males produce a soft, rattling 'took-took' call, while females have a typical duck-like quack, though softer than that of a Mallard. During courtship, males may emit a low 'woh-woh' sound.
On take-off, a shoveler’s wings can be heard making a distinctive ‘rattling’ sound, unlike any other duck species.
Nesting & Breeding
Northern Shovelers form pairs during late winter or early spring. Males court females with head-bobbing displays and vocalisation.
Nests are built on the ground, often concealed in dense vegetation near water. Females lay 8-12 pale olive-buff eggs and line the nest with down.
Incubation lasts about 23-25 days, carried out solely by the female. Ducklings are precocial and can feed themselves shortly after hatching, fledging at 6-7 weeks old.
Conservation
While currently listed as Least Concern, Northern Shovelers face threats from wetland habitat loss and degradation.
Conservation efforts focus on protecting and restoring wetland ecosystems, which benefit this species along with many other waterfowl.
Birdwatching Tips
- Look for their distinctive, oversized bill
- Search in shallow wetlands and marshes
- Listen for soft quacking sounds
- Observe their unique feeding behaviour of skimming the water's surface
- In the UK, visit coastal areas and inland wetlands during winter months
Did You Know?
- The Northern Shoveler's bill has about 110 fine projections (called lamellae) along its edges for filtering food.
- They can consume up to 10,000 tiny invertebrates per day.
- Despite their large bills, Northern Shovelers are excellent flyers, capable of swift, agile flight.
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