Wildlifeof Bhutan
Northern Shoveler
Ducks, Geese & Grebes
Photo: Daniel Benák · CC BY 4.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Spatula clypeata
Basic stats
Diet
Plant food, strained from the water with a side-to-side bill motion
Habitat
Nests in grassy areas away from open water
Range
Breeds in northern Europe, the Palearctic and North America; winters in the Indian subcontinent and elsewhere
Clutch size
About 9 eggs
Size
44–52cm
Wingspan
70–84cm
Weight
500–800g
The northern shoveler is unmistakable in the Northern Hemisphere because of its large, spatulate bill. It is 44 to 52cm long with a wingspan of 70 to 84cm, weighing 500 to 800g. In flight pale blue forewing feathers show, separated from the green speculum by a white border, and the male has a white crescent on each side of the face in early autumn (Wikipedia, general species account).
It breeds in northern Europe, across the Palearctic and North America, and winters in southern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia and elsewhere. Shovelers dabble for plant food, swinging the bill from side to side to strain food from the water. Hens lay about nine eggs and prefer grassy nesting areas away from open water.
Quick answers
- What does the Northern Shoveler eat?
- Plant food, strained from the water with a side-to-side bill motion
- What habitat does the Northern Shoveler live in?
- Nests in grassy areas away from open water
- Where is the Northern Shoveler found?
- Breeds in northern Europe, the Palearctic and North America; winters in the Indian subcontinent and elsewhere
- How many eggs does the Northern Shoveler lay?
- About 9 eggs
- How big is the Northern Shoveler?
- 44–52cm
- What is the wingspan of the Northern Shoveler?
- 70–84cm
- How much does the Northern Shoveler weigh?
- 500–800g