19 inches long with a wingspan of 30 inches. The Northern Shoveler is a large dabbling duck with a distinctive spoon-shaped bill that is longer than the head. In flight both sexes show a large powder blue patch on the upper forewing and a metallic green speculum. The breeding male has a black bill and yellow eyes and a green head. The lower neck, breast and tail are white. The underbody is rusty with a white band on the hind flanks. The back is dark with elongated white shoulder feathers. Breeding plumage is worn from fall through early summer. The female is mottled brown with a buff head, neck, and back. Her bill is orange with dusky patches. The female has brown eyes.
The Northern Shoveler is a common migrant in the Omaha area but uncommonly seen in the Forest in the Great Marsh or flying over the floodplain. The best times are April and May and again in September and October.
The Northern Shoveler’s bill is ideally suited for straining small swimming crustaceans from the water. This is the most territorial of all North American dabbling ducks, and males remain paired with females longer than in other species. The female’s “quack” is deep and short. The male gives a throaty “thook-thook”.
Disclaimer: The content of NatureSearch is provided by dedicated volunteer Naturalists of Fontenelle Forest who strive to provide the most accurate information available. Contributors of the images retain their copyrights. The point of contact for this page is: Phil Swanson.