The male Northern Shoveler has a metallic green head, yellow-orange eyes, large black spatula shaped beak, white breast, chestnut undersides and flanks, the rump and upper-tail are black, the sides of the rump are white, pale-blue forewing feathers, green speculum bordered with white, and the legs and feet are orange-red.
The female has the same large spatula shaped beak which is grey-brown, and is mostly mottled-brown and buff with a bluish shoulder patch.
The male in eclipse plumage is similar to the female but has a darker head, reddish flanks, retains the wing colour as well as the yellow eyes and dark beak.
Typical Adult is about 48cm (19in).
Uses large beak to filter small animals, insects and plankton from the water. Also feeds on weeds, seeds, insects, and molluscs.
Wetlands, wet grassland, lakes and marshes in northern Europe into Asia and the north-west of North America. Winters further south in southern Europe, north Africa, India, Vietnam, south China, Japan, south-western USA, Mexico, Central, and northern South America.
Early April to June in southern parts.
8 to 12 (pale-buff and olive-tinted colour).
River Cottage's collection of Shovellers changes regularly. Please visit us regularly to keep up-to-date with our flock
Click the button above to add a pair of Northern Shovelers to 'My Enquiries' which is available at the top of each page, and similar to a 'basket' on an ecommerce website!
Note: All birds are subject to availability and we reserve the right to alter prices as the market and our costs dictate. Viewing is strictly by appointment. Please contact us for futher details
