Northern Shoveler -- Anas clypeata -- South Dakota Birds
| Northern Shoveler | Length: 17 - 20 inches | Wingspan: 27 - 33 inches | Seasonality: Summer |
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Identification Keys MALES: Distinctive large flattened bill, greenish black head, rusty sides and belly, white breast. Identification Keys FEMALES: Distinctive flattened bill, buffy overall, pale edges on slightly darker feathers on the back. |
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The Northern Shoveler uses its unique large flattened bill to strain water
for small aquatic plants and animals. They are a common summer duck in the state.
A male is pictured on the right. Links to additional photos, including
those of a female, can be found at the bottom of the page..
Habitat: Marshes, ponds, flooded ditches.
Diet: Omnivorous. Summer eats mix of aquatic plants, grasses, insects, crustaceans, small fish, and seeds. Winter diet is primarily seeds and plant material.
Behavior: Forages by swimming slowly with bill submerged just below the surface. Food items are gathered by filtering water through the unique bill.
Nesting: May through July
Breeding map: Breeding bird survey map
Song: Male took, took, took during mating. To listen to this bird, click here for the "E-nature.com" site for the Northern Shoveler, and click on "listen to this species".
Migrations: Summers throughout much of western Canada and the western half of the United States, and locally around the Great Lakes. Winters in the southern U.S. and along the coasts, as well as Mexico.
Similar Species: Mallard
Further Information: 1) USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Northern Shoveler
2) Cornell University's "All About Birds - Northern Shoveler"
3) eNature.com: Northern Shoveler
Photo Information: April 3rd, 2003 -- Western Minnehaha County -- Terry L. Sohl
Additional Photos: Click on the image chips or text links below for additional, higher-resolution Northern Shoveler photos.
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| South Dakota Status: Common migrant and summer resident throughout most of the state. Rare in winter. |
| Additional Northern Shoveler Photos | ||
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| Northern Shoveler 1 (Male) | Northern Shoveler 2 (Male) | Northern Shoveler 3 (Male) |
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Proud Member Of:
Click here for references used to compile this page
Please mail any comments/suggestions/additional links for this page to: Terry L. Sohl
This page was last edited on 02/03/08
