Northern Shoveler
Photos by Bruce Dayton

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) - Male Picture Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) - Female Picture
Male Female

ORDER: Anseriformes
FAMILY: Anatidae (Ducks and Geese - 52 Species)
SUB-FAMILY: Anatinae
SPECIES: Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

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Northern Shoveler

The Northern Shoveler is unmistakable due to its large spatulate bill. The Northern Shoveler have lately become more abundant because of beneficial organizations in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

SIZE

 Medium-sized (17-20”) dabbling duck.
DESCRIPTION The breeding male has an iridescent green head, white chest, and rusty sides.
The females are light brown, with plumage much like a female mallard.
NESTING Clutch size ranges from 8-14 eggs, which are incubated in 22 to 28 days. The nest is a shallow depression on the ground, lined with plant material and down, usually close to water.
RANGE The Northern Shoveler is a common and widespread duck which breeds in the northern areas of Europe and Asia and across most of North America.
HABITAT They habitat open wetlands, such as wet grassland or marshes.
DIET This bird eats mollusks and insects in the nesting season. Feeds by dabbling for plant food, often by swinging its bill from side to side and using the bill to strain food from the water.
Northern Shoveler
Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge
Seneca County, New York
CLICK - Northern Shoveler Picture - Male CLICK - Northern Shoveler Picture - Female
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CLICK - Northern Shoveler Picture -3 Females
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CLICK - Northern Shoveler Picture - Male and Female CLICK - Northern Shoveler Picture - Male
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CLICK - Northern Shoveler Picture - Male and Female
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Old Squaw
Drawing by
Louis Agassiz Fuertes		 CLICK - Old Squaw drawing
INTERESTING FACTS
Nest Platform
The fairly flat structure which comprises the nest for those birds, which do not build a cup shape. Good examples are the nests of grebes, which build floating platforms of aquatic vegetation anchored to reeds, tree roots and similar supports.

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The images on this web page are copyrighted © 2003 - 2007 by Bruce Dayton. I want to share my photos to promote conservation and to help people identify and learn about the birds and other creatures that live with us on the North American continent. Please do not use any of my work in any non-profit or for-profit project without first getting written permission from me. You can ask for permission by emailing me at webmaster@wildlifeofnorthamerica.info. All reproductions must bear an appropriate credit.

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Northern Shoveler ( Anas clypeata )
Updated 10-20-2008