Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeata

With its oversized, spoon-shaped bill, this dabbling duck sifts through shallow waters for tasty morsels across wetlands worldwide.

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Visual Identification

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.

Size

Length

44cm to 51cm

Wingspan

70cm to 84cm

Weight

400g to 1000g

Colours

Male Female

Primary Colour

Green Brown White

Secondary Colour

Blue Black

Beak Colour

Black

Leg Colour

Orange

Primary Colour (Female)

Brown Buff

Secondary Colour (Female)

White

Beak Colour (Female)

Orange Yellow

Leg Colour (Female)

Orange

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Woodland

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

Garden

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Garden habitats.

Wetland

The Northern Shoveler can be found in Wetland habitats.

Coastal

The Northern Shoveler can be found in Coastal habitats.

Urban

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Urban habitats.

Farmland

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

Grassland

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

Desert

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Desert habitats.

Tundra

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

Rainforest

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

Mountain

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

Savanna

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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.

Elevation Range

Up to 2,000 meters

Climate zones

Temperate, Subtropical, Tropical

Distribution Map

This map gives you a rough idea of where you might spot a Northern Shoveler. The coloured areas show countries where these birds have been seen.

A few things to keep in mind:

Birds might not be everywhere in the coloured areas, for example, they may be present around the coast of that country
Where birds live can change with seasons and available food
This map is quite simple - it doesn't show exact locations

We're working on making our maps even better! Soon, we hope to show you:

More detailed maps for bigger countries, including state and region
How birds move around during different seasons