Northern Shoveler by DCLEW2

Photography • Animals • posted on Apr 20, 2008

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Description

The Shoveler (pronounced /ˈʃʌvələr/) or Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) is a common and widespread duck which was formerly known as Northern Shoveller. It breeds in the northern areas of Europe and Asia and across most of North America and is a rare vagrant to Australia. This species was first described by Linnaeus in his Systema naturae in 1758 under its current scientific name[2][verification needed]. Usually placeed in Anas like most dabbling ducks, it stands well apart from such species as the Mallard and together with the other shovelers and their relatives forms a "blue-winged" group that may warrant separation as genus Spatula. This dabbling duck is strongly migratory and winters further south than its breeding range. It is not as gregarious as some dabbling ducks outside the breeding season and tends to form only small flocks. This species is unmistakable in the northern hemisphere due to its large spatulate bill. The breeding male has a green head, white breast and chestnut belly and flanks. In flight, pale blue forewing feathers are revealed, separated from the green speculum by a white border.