Wildlifeof China
Northern Shoveler
Ducks, Geese & Grebes
Photo: Daniel Benák · CC BY 4.0
Spatula clypeata
Basic stats
Diet
Plant food strained from the water by dabbling
Habitat
Prefers to nest in grassy areas away from open water
Range
Breeds across northern Europe, the Palearctic and most of North America; winters in southern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, South-east Asia, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America
Clutch size
About 9 eggs
Size
44–52cm
Wingspan
70–84cm
Weight
500–800g
The northern shoveler is a common and widespread duck, 44–52cm long with a 70–84cm wingspan and weighing 500–800g. It is unmistakable in the Northern Hemisphere because of its large, spatulate bill, and the female's forewing is grey. It breeds in northern Europe, throughout the Palearctic and across most of North America, and winters in southern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, South-east Asia, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America (Wikipedia, general species account).
It feeds by dabbling for plant food, often swinging its bill from side to side and using it to strain food from the water. It prefers to nest in grassy areas away from open water, and hens typically lay about nine eggs. The species falls under the Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (Wikipedia, general species account).
Quick answers
- What does the Northern Shoveler eat?
- Plant food strained from the water by dabbling
- What habitat does the Northern Shoveler live in?
- Prefers to nest in grassy areas away from open water
- Where is the Northern Shoveler found?
- Breeds across northern Europe, the Palearctic and most of North America; winters in southern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, South-east Asia, Central America, the Caribbean and northern South America
- How many eggs does the Northern Shoveler lay?
- About 9 eggs
- How big is the Northern Shoveler?
- 44–52cm
- What is the wingspan of the Northern Shoveler?
- 70–84cm
- How much does the Northern Shoveler weigh?
- 500–800g