Northern Shoveler

Anas clypeata

Explore this bird

Identification

Field notes

43-51 cm (17-20") Common. Marshes, lakes, bays, ponds. Colorful medium-sized surface feeding duck that appears to have an oversized "Donald Duck" bill. Remarkable spatula-shaped bill is longer than head.

Male: dark green head; reddish-brown sides; white breast; dark bill.

Female: mottled brown overall, gray bill is orange around edges.

In flight: large bill; large pale blue patch on upper forewing; green speculum; large bill make wings appear set well back.

Song: low "took, took", quacks.

Details in the field

Photo gallery

4 photos

Credit: Chuq Von Rospach

Credit: Dan Dzurisin

Credit: Dan Pancamo

Credit: Ken Schneider

Watch and learn

Videos

1 video

Northern Shovelers--Pinwheeling

Credit: OC Birder Girl

Where it lives

Distribution maps

Source legend · original intervals

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Unshaded in source · does not imply absence

Generic and winter maps may use different intervals.

Bird Advisor Identification rules 2 variants 2 rules

These are the observation paths the Bird Advisor can use to identify this species. Each rule is an alternative match.

Northern Shoveler (Female or Immature)

1 rule

Rule 1 12 criteria confidence 5

What colour was the SIDE ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Yellow · Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Blue · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Flattened · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Medium · Long · Very long · Unknown
What FACIAL or HEAD features were noted if any ?: Light area between the bill and the eye · NONE of the above or a PLAIN unmarked FACE · Unknown
What colour were the EYES ?: Red, orange or rusty · Brown or blackish brown · Black or dark gray · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Duck or Goose-like

result:737-northern-shoveler-female:1:1 Source: 737 Northern Shoveler (Female), row 1

Northern Shoveler (Male)

1 rule

Rule 1 11 criteria confidence 5

What colour were the LEGS or FEET ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Unknown
What colour was the SIDE ?: Orange, buff (orange-yellow), or tan · Red, or pink · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Unknown
What colour was the BACK ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Rufous (dull-red or rust-colored) · Brown, or chestnut (reddish-brown) · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BREAST ?: White, or pale (grayish-white) · Unknown
What colour was the THROAT ?: Green · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What colour was the BILL ?: Blue · Gray, or blue-gray · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
What SHAPE was the BILL ?: Flattened · Unknown
What LENGTH was the BILL ?: Medium · Long · Very long · Unknown
What was the predominant colour of the HEAD ?: Green · Black, purple, or dark · Unknown
How BIG was the bird ?: Pigeon-sized · Crow-sized
What TYPE of bird was seen ?: Duck or Goose-like

result:736-northern-shoveler-male:1:1 Source: 736 Northern Shoveler (Male), row 1