(Credit: U. S. Geological Survey)

Northern Shoveler - Anas clypeata

Identification Tips:

  1. Length: 14 inches Wingspan: 31 inches
  2. Large dabbling duck
  3. Large spatulate bill
  4. Juvenile similar to adult female

Adult male alternate:

  1. Alternate plumage worn from fall through early summer
  2. Black bill
  3. Eyes yellow
  4. Green head
  5. White lower neck, breast, and tail
  6. Rusty underbody with white band on hind flanks
  7. Dark back, with elongated white scapulars
  8. Pale blue upper secondary coverts
  9. Green speculum with white leading and trailing edges

Adult male basic

  1. Similar to adult female

Adult female:

  1. Eyes brown
  2. Orange bill with dusky patches
  3. Mottled brown and buff head, neck and back
  4. Dusky blue upper secondary coverts
  5. Dull green speculum with white fore border

Similar species:

Large, spatulate bill makes the Northern Shoveler immediately recognizable in all plumages.