| Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata (Linnaeus, 1758)) |
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Scientific name: Anas clypeata (Linnaeus, 1758) Common name: Northern Shoveler French name: Canard souchet Order: Anseriformes Family: Anatidae Size: Body size: 44 to 52 cm; Wingspan: 70 to 85 cm; Weight: 500 to 700g. Habitat: Open water, lakes, ponds, marshes, estuaries. The Northern Shoveler prefers fresh or lightly salt water. Food: The spoon-shaped bill allows to filter water and capture plankton. It also feeds on water insects, molluscs, crustaceans and seeds. Nesting: The nest is built on the ground in vegetation near water. Females lay 8 to 12 eggs in April-May and will take care of the young birds. Migration: These ducks leave Northern Europe and Central Europe at the first cold days. They move to temperate areas near the Mediterranean sea as an example. Some of them move further southwards, crossing the Sahara. Northern Shovelers from Russia winter in East Africa. Northern Shovelers from Scandinavia winter in temperate Europe and some of them in West Africa. Geographic area: Europe, North America. Africa in winter. |
The main distinguishing feature of the Northern Shoveler is its large, flat, wide-tipped, spatulate bill. Males have a green head with a black sheen. The sides of the body and the underside are rusty-red, the breast is white. The upperside of the wings is grey-blue with a green patch. The underside of the wings is white with a black border. Females are a mottled brown colour and have the same bill as males. |
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Hidden behind the reed bed, I have been able to get very close this times. Unfortunately there is a remaining stem in the field of view. |
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This Northern Shoveler has been kind to contort himself so that we can admire its beautiful leg, the beautiful feathers on the underside of its body and its beautiful spatulate bill. |
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You can easily identify the Northern Shoveler with its large flat wide-tipped bill. |
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Like with many other duck species females are very different from males. |
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This is the third year that I observe a few Northern Shovelers on this pond in November. This must be only a short stop during the migration southwards. |
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Sir Northern Shoveler and Madam busy filtering water to feed. |
André Bon December 2010