Northern Shoveler — Length: 19 inches, Wing span: 30 inches
While the green head of the male may at first suggest a Mallard, the Northern Shoveler’s wide bill and rusty flanks make it easy to identify. Northern Shovelers typically migrate in small groups, and movements can take place either at night or during the day. They migrate rather late in the spring, but early in the fall.
Ring-necked Pheasants and other ducks have been known to lay their eggs in the nests of Northern Shovelers. During winter, the specialized bill of the Northern Shoveler allows it to efficiently strain food out of the water, and it is less affected by food shortages that may affect other dabbling ducks.
Photograph © Steve Wolfe. Males have reddish flanks, dark upperparts, a white breast, and a green head.
Males in nonbreeding plumage are much browner and mottled overall. In early fall they have a white crescent on each side of the face.
Photograph © Alan Wilson. Females are mostly brown, with pale edgings to the body feathers. The bill on this bird is more speckled than most. The immature Northern Shoveler is similar to the adult female.
Orange legs and feet. Photograph © Alan Wilson.
The large, spatulate-like bill gives this duck its name. Photograph © Sam Crowe.
Bottoms up. Like most dabbling ducks, Northern Shovelers will feed on underwater vegitation by bobbing head down. Photograph © Sam Crowe
The pair of shovelers was displaying and the Mallard on the left kept trying to interfere. Photograph © Sam Crowe.
Male with his head underwater. Can you tell if the image shows the front of the bird or the back? The following image will help. Photograph © Sam Crowe.
Pairs of Northern Shovelers will sometimes swim in tight circles, apparently feeding but what may be part of a courtship display . Photograph © Sam Crowe.
Females are non-descript but the very large bill is a dead give away. Photograph © Sam Crowe.
Large bill and colorful wing pattern. The wing pattern resembles Blue-winged Teal. Photograph © Steve Wolfe.
Males and a single female. The color pattern of males is distinctive, the very large bill can also usually be seen in flight. Photograph © Steve Wolfe.
Can you spot the single female in this group? Photograph © Steve Wolfe.
Pale underwing linings with darker trailing edge and wing tips. Photograph © Steve Wolfe.
Male. Photograph © Alan Wilson.
This appears like it might be a male in non-breeding plumage. Photograph © Greg Lavaty.
Female in flight. The green speculum often appears dark. Photograph © Greg Lavaty.
Generally pale wing linings, darker on the trailing half. Photograph © Greg Lavaty.