{"id":7824,"date":"2026-10-09T16:33:17","date_gmt":"2026-10-09T16:33:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/?p=7824"},"modified":"2026-10-09T16:33:18","modified_gmt":"2026-10-09T16:33:18","slug":"the-northern-shoveler-the-scoop-on-spoonies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wordpress.viu.ca\/biol325\/2026\/10\/09\/the-northern-shoveler-the-scoop-on-spoonies\/","title":{"rendered":"The Northern Shoveler: The Scoop on Spoonies"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The northern shoveler (Spatula clypeata<\/em>) is a common bird with a unique appearance that makes them easily recognizable. Considering their heads are always down, sifting through the water for food, you might walk right by one and not even notice! These strange looking birds have some interesting behaviours that make them even more unique. Have you ever seen a duck make a whirlpool? Let\u2019s dabble in what makes these waterfowl so wonderful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Identification<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The northern shoveler is a medium sized duck with an extra large sized bill. This spoon-like bill is a clear sign you\u2019re looking at a shoveler, and it\u2019s where they get their nickname \u201cSpoonies\u201d from (United States Fish and Wildlife Services<\/a>). They are around 44-51 cm long, and weigh 400-820 grams, leaving them just a bit smaller than a mallard (All About Birds<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A male northern shoveler in his breeding colours looks somewhat similar to a mallard, with a green head. The white chest, brown sides, and black bill set him apart from his more common cousin. He also has a blue patch on the shoulder of the wing, and a green patch just below that. Nonbreeding males are all brown with an orange-ish patch on the sides (All About Birds<\/a>). They also keep their black bill and yellow eyes.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Figure 1:<\/strong> A male northern shoveler in breeding plumage (Picture from Audubon<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n

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Figure 2:<\/strong> A male northern shoveler in his nonbreeding plumage (Picture from All About Birds<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Females and immature males look similar to a female mallard with an oversized bill. They\u2019re brown with lighter brown around the edges of the body feathers, and a bright orange bill (All About Birds<\/a>). They also have a green patch on the bottom edge of the wing, though it\u2019s duller than in the breeding males. The duller colours of the females are to help with camouflage (EBSCO<\/a>).<\/p>\n\n\n

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Figure 3:<\/strong> A female mallard (left) next to a northern shoveler (right) (Picture from E. Kludash)<\/p>\n\n\n

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Figure 4:<\/strong> A northern shoveler (Picture from E. Kludash)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As for sounds they make, when flying, courting females, or when alarmed, the males will make a \u201ctuk tuk\u201d sound. Females make a nasally quack.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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