Main Species
Northern Shoveler
Breeding male
Reddish-brown flanks contrast with white chest and black back. Note the male's green head, long, oversized black bill, and yellow eye.
© Paul Hueber | Macaulay LibraryFlorida, February 21, 2012Female/immature
Females have a coarsely marked brown head and body. Their powdery-blue shoulder patch is sometimes visible at rest. Note the long, oversized orange bill and orange legs.
© Brendan Fogarty | Macaulay LibraryNew York, January 15, 2017Breeding male and female
Very long and wide bill is distinctive on both males and females, even at considerable distance.
© Larry Arbanas | Macaulay LibraryAlaska, June 18, 2007Nonbreeding male
Subdued shadow of breeding plumage visible under coarse brown markings. Long, oversized black bill.
© Suzanne Labbé | Macaulay LibraryQuebec, November 07, 2015Breeding male
Wings in flight show green secondaries and powdery-blue shoulder patch. Large, wide bill is often noticeable even in flight.
© Dorian Anderson | Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, January 28, 2017Breeding male
When molting into breeding plumage, males can still have some coarse brown markings on the chest and flanks.
© Dick Horsey | Macaulay LibraryNew York, March 24, 2017Female/immature
Bill has a distinctive long and lobed shape.
© Mike Bailey | Macaulay LibraryWisconsin, April 30, 2017Flock
Large flocks sometimes feed by swimming in circles to stir up food.
© Jo-Szu (Ross) Tsai | Macaulay LibraryChiayi County, March 11, 2017Breeding male
Occurs in wetlands, particularly shallow ponds where it dabbles for food.
© Susan Zelek | Macaulay LibraryIllinois, March 20, 2017