The Northern Shoveler

The scientific name ‘clypeata’ is Latin for ‘furnished with a shield’ – it refers to the shoveler’s massive bill. Once placed in it’s own genus ‘Spatula’ which would make sense!

You can find this Duck along roadways in Alberta, also ditches and flooded fields. The Northern Shoveler prefers to lounge in shallow waters. This guy’s spoon-like bill (like a shovel) allows him to strain small invertebrates from a ponds mucky bottom. God gave this duck elongated intestines to prolong digestion of these hard-bodied snails and insects.

To observe this handsome Duck please click on each photo below.

Northern Shoveler – Common from March to September
Photo by K.Borno

Northern Shoveler – Nests 50 metres (165 feet) from water
Photo by K.Borno

Northern Shoveler – Ducklings show the distinctive spoon-like bill after 2 weeks
Photo by K.Borno

Northern Shoveler – Referred to as ‘the Spoony’, ‘the Smiling Mallard’ and the Poor Man’s Mallard’.
Photo by K.Borno

Northern Shoveler – Migrate to the Central and Northern parts of South America
Photo by K.Borno

Northern Shoveler – Male and Female