Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeata

The Northern Shoveler is a distinctive duck with a large spatula-shaped bill that it uses to filter small invertebrates and seeds from the water. Males have striking breeding plumage with iridescent green heads, white bodies, and chestnut flanks, while females are mottled brown. These ducks are often found in shallow wetlands, marshes, and lakes, where they use their unique bill to forage for food. They are known for their circular feeding behavior, where they swim in tight circles to create a vortex that brings food to the surface. Northern Shovelers are widespread and can be found in North America, Europe, and Asia.

Habitat: Shallow wetlands, marshes, lakes