Northern Shoveler
Spatula clypeata
The adult Northern Shoveler inhabits freshwater marshes, ponds, flooded fields, and slow wetlands across much of the Northern Hemisphere. It swims with its head low, sweeping its oversized spoon-shaped bill from side to side to filter small invertebrates, seeds, and plankton. Adults are strong fliers and often migrate long distances between breeding and wintering areas. The comb-like lamellae inside the bill make it one of the most specialized filter-feeding dabbling ducks.
- Type
- Water
- Conservation status
- LC
Growth chain
- ?
- Northern Shoveler