Northern Shoveler

Spatula cyanoptera

The Northern Shoveler is a distinctive dabbling duck with a large spatula-shaped bill, which it uses to filter small invertebrates and seeds from the water. Males have striking iridescent green heads, white chests, and chestnut flanks, while females are mottled brown with a powder-blue shoulder patch. These ducks are highly migratory, breeding in northern North America and Eurasia, and wintering in southern United States, Mexico, and Central America. They are often found in shallow freshwater wetlands, marshes, and ponds, where they feed by dabbling and upending in the water. The Northern Shoveler is a common and widespread species and is not currently considered at risk.

Habitat: Freshwater wetlands, marshes, ponds

Northern Shoveler
© ALAN SCHMIERER · Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Tours where you can spot this bird

Arizona in Winter
Arizona in Winter
United States / Arizona Group tour 9 days | 0h

Arizona is one of the top birding destinations in the USA, and winter is a great time to visit, with cool mornings and pleasant days. We wil...

From 0.00 USD Next: 2027-01-27
Van Scoy Lakes Birding Tour – 6 hours with fascinating woodland and water birds
Van Scoy Lakes Birding Tour – 6 hours with fascinating woodland and water birds
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 6h

Tours Niche: Birdwatching Tours and Bird Photography Tours Tours Region: Saskatchewan, Canada Tours Duration: Half-Day, Full-Day, and Multi-...

From 490.00 CAD
Redberry Lake Bird Sanctuary Tour – 8 hours with fascinating woodland and water birds
Redberry Lake Bird Sanctuary Tour – 8 hours with fascinating woodland and water birds
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 8h

Tours Niche: Birdwatching Tours and Bird Photography Tours Tours Region: Saskatchewan, Canada Tours Duration: Half-Day, Full-Day, and Multi-...

From 390.00 CAD
Radisson Lake Birding Tour – 4 great hours with water and grassland birds
Radisson Lake Birding Tour – 4 great hours with water and grassland birds
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 4h

Tours Niche: Birdwatching Tours and Bird Photography Tours Tours Region: Saskatchewan, Canada Tours Duration: Half-Day, Full-Day, and Multi-...

From 290.00 CAD
Blackstrap Lake Birdwatching and Bird Photography Tour – 3 hours with spectacular water birds
Blackstrap Lake Birdwatching and Bird Photography Tour – 3 hours with spectacular water birds
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 3h

Tours Niche: Birdwatching Tours and Bird Photography Tours Tours Region: Saskatchewan, Canada Tours Duration: Half-Day, Full-Day, and Multi-...

From 290.00 CAD
Prairie Lakes Birding and Photography Tour – 4 hours with spectacular water birds
Prairie Lakes Birding and Photography Tour – 4 hours with spectacular water birds
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 4h

Tours Niche: Birdwatching Tours and Bird Photography Tours Tours Region: Saskatchewan, Canada Tours Duration: Half-Day, Full-Day, and Multi-...

From 290.00 CAD
Duck Lake and Nisbet Forest Birding Tour – 6 great hours with fascinating woodland and water birds
Duck Lake and Nisbet Forest Birding Tour – 6 great hours with fascinating woodland and water birds
Canada / Saskatoon Private tour 6h

Tours Niche: Birdwatching Tours and Bird Photography Tours Tours Region: Saskatchewan, Canada Tours Duration: Half-Day, Full-Day, and Multi-...

From 190.00 CAD