Northern Shoveler Bird Facts (Spatula clypeata)

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.

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Woodland habitats.

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Garden habitats.

The Northern Shoveler can be found in Wetland habitats.

The Northern Shoveler can be found in Coastal habitats.

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Urban habitats.

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Farmland habitats.

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Grassland habitats.

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Desert habitats.

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Tundra habitats.

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Rainforest habitats.

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Mountain habitats.

The Northern Shoveler is not typically found in Savanna habitats.

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.

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

This feature is in beta. We'd love your feedback to improve it!

Share your thoughts

Bird Attributes Explained

Our bird attributes system rates various aspects of a bird's capabilities on a scale of 0-100, based on data from field observations, scientific studies, and expert knowledge.

Attribute Categories:

Agility: Manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.
Strength: Physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.
Adaptability: Ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.
Aggressiveness: Territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.
Endurance: Stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

Understanding the Ratings:

0-20: Very Low
21-40: Low
41-60: Average
61-80: High
81-100: Very High

Remember, these attributes are relative to other bird species and don't necessarily indicate superiority.

Agility

Reflects the bird's manoeuvrability, speed, and grace in flight or movement.

Northern Shovelers are highly agile birds, particularly in flight. They're capable of swift, nimble movements in the air and can manoeuvre deftly when taking off or landing on water. Their ability to perform intricate feeding behaviours, such as swimming in tight circles to create vortexes, also demonstrates considerable agility.

Strength

Indicates the bird's physical power, often correlating with size and hunting abilities.

While not exceptionally strong compared to larger waterfowl, Northern Shovelers possess moderate strength. Their ability to migrate long distances and their robust build for their size contribute to this rating. However, their specialisation in filter-feeding rather than diving or wrestling with prey suggests they don't rely heavily on brute strength.

Adaptability

Represents the bird's ability to thrive in various environments or changing conditions.

Northern Shovelers show high adaptability. They can thrive in various wetland habitats, from freshwater to brackish areas, and at elevations up to 2000 metres. Their ability to adjust their diet based on available food sources and their successful colonisation of diverse geographical regions across multiple continents demonstrate significant adaptability.

Aggressiveness

Measures the bird's territorial behaviour and assertiveness, particularly during breeding seasons.

Northern Shovelers are generally not highly aggressive birds. They form loose flocks and are relatively quiet. However, males can become territorial during breeding season and engage in courtship displays, which may involve some aggressive behaviours. Overall, they tend to be more peaceful compared to many other duck species.

Endurance

Reflects the bird's stamina, often seen in migration patterns or foraging behaviours.

These birds exhibit good endurance, particularly evident in their long-distance migratory habits. Their ability to fly between northern breeding grounds and southern wintering areas requires considerable stamina. Additionally, their constant filter-feeding behaviour, which can involve processing up to 10,000 tiny invertebrates per day, suggests a high level of sustained energy output.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Northern Shoveler typically lives for 3 years, with a maximum recorded lifespan of 22 years.

Like all birds, lifespan can be affected by factors including predation, habitat quality, disease, and access to food sources.

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.

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

Main predators include foxes, raccoons, large birds of prey, and snapping turtles, particularly targeting eggs and ducklings.

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.

Already have an account?

0/500 characters (minimum 20 required)

Is a northern shoveler a diving duck?

Northern shovelers are dabbling ducks, not diving ducks. They get their food from the water’s surface rather than diving deep underwater.

Why do northern shovelers swim in circles?

Swimming in circles is a foraging tactic commonly used by northern shovelers to stir up aquatic invertebrates living in the muddy pond or lake bottom, with the circular movement of the water stirring them up and causing them to rise to the surface, making foraging easier.

Visual Identification

Appearance

Size

Colours

Habitat and Distribution

Habitats

Distribution

Elevation Range

Climate zones

Distribution Map

Distribution by Region

Get Bird Updates in Your Inbox

Behaviour and Ecology

Bird Attributes

Bird Attributes Explained

Attribute Categories:

Understanding the Ratings:

Agility

Strength

Adaptability

Aggressiveness

Endurance

Diet

Behaviour

Vocalisation

Nesting & Breeding

Lifespan

Conservation and Status

Global Conservation Status

Population Data

Rarity Index

Birdwatching Tips

Additional Information

Quick Facts

Other names:

Family:

Predators

Did You Know?

Was this bird profile helpful?

Community Experience

Community Ratings

Latest Community Reviews

No reviews yet

Community Reviews

Create Your Free Account Welcome Back!

Rate Northern Shoveler

FAQs

Is a northern shoveler a diving duck?

Why do northern shovelers swim in circles?

References