Northern Shoveler

As one might expect, based on their name, the most distinctive characteristic of Northern Shovelers is their large spoon or shovel shaped bill, which is black in color on males, and orange on females. Their unique bill also contains 110 fine projections which act as a comb or sieve filtering the water to collect plant pieces, seeds, tiny crustaceans and small aquatic insects to eat. Unlike other dabbling ducks Northern Shovelers rarely lower their head completely under the water, instead they swim with their bill on the surface of the water and move their head back and forth as they filter for food. Northern Shovelers range from 17-20” in length, weigh about 1.5-2 pounds, and can have a wing span up to 33 inches. They are slightly smaller than a Mallard duck. Male Northern Shovelers have an iridescent green head, a white chest and rust colored sides, while the females are mostly mottled brown with a patch of powder blue on their wings.