Northern Shoveler

This uniquely shaped bill causes the Northern Shovelers to receive the name, "Spoonbills."

The Northern Shovelers has an extensive area in which it inhabits. They mate and produce their young through Eurasia and western North America. Also bird watchers see the birds in the Great Lakes region of the eastern United States.

The male Northern Shoveler weighs between 17 to 38 ounces. Both the male and female Shoveler have a wingspan of about 31 inches when in flight. The female Shoveler is about 14 inches tall and weighs 17 to 28 ounces.

The most particularly noticeable feature of the Northern Shoveler is its big scoop formed beak. The male birds have green heads, an ivory white body, with the lowest part of its body colored a reddish brown and black wing.

Females have multicolored feathers of brown, black and white and a blue spot on their wings. Both the male and female Northern Shovelers have a black bill and yellow eyes. Both the male and female Northern Shoveler have orange, yellow legs and feet.

Some immature male shovelers display a few cream colored edges on their feathers. The third feather of immature males are ragged and show a brownish color especially during the early autumn month of October. Young male birds usually have small dusky spots on the small feathers on their tail and wings while adults do not.

After molt the immature bird has feathers colored similar to adult female. Their plumage has rounded edges and are dirty brown to glossy black in color. After molting the young shoveler's small tail and wing feathers are white with small dark spots at tip.

Both the male and female Northern Shoveler share a characteristic that accounts for the bird's name, a huge bill. Its bill is so big and with bright yellow eyes the bird has a sarcastic and amusing look. The tip of the bill that they use for feeding is twice as wide as the base. Their bill strains small plankton like animals and plants with the fine, tooth like ridges along the edges of the bill. The bird scoops water and food into its bill and then flushes out the water through the sides of its bill leaving food. Normally the Shevelers feed in this manner. Sometimes birders see them with head under water feeding this way too.

Flying- In flight Shovelers, have a particular appearance that helps to distinguish them from other ducks. They have a heavy beak and a small tail that makes them look overweight in the front. Their pointed wings have a blue spot on the edge. They flap their wings quickly and when taking off they make a low whistling sound.

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