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  1. Species
  2. ›
  3. Anatidae
  4. ›
  5. Spatula
  6. ›
  7. Northern Shoveler
Northern Shoveler
Photo · (c) Nathan Ruser, some rights reserved (CC BY)

BirdUp · Species

Northern Shoveler

Spatula clypeata(Linnaeus, 1758)

Updated 21 March 2026

Conservation status: Least ConcernOrigin: Vagrant
Order
ANSERIFORMES
Family
Anatidae
Genus
Spatula

At a glance

The Northern Shoveler, listed as Least Concern. It can be seen year-round.

Conservation status
Least Concern
Origin
Vagrant
Best seen
Year-round
Commonness
Very common
  • Identification
  • Where
  • When
  • Behaviour
  • Gallery

01 · Identification

How to tell it apart

The northern shoveler, often known simply as the shoveler where other related species do not occur, is a common and widespread duck. It breeds in northern areas of Europe and throughout the Palearctic and across most of North America, and winters in southern Europe, the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. It is a rare vagrant to Australia. In North America, it breeds along the southern edge of Hudson Bay and west of this body of water, and as far south as the Great Lakes west to Colorado, Nevada, and Oregon.

Description · wikipedia · CC BY-SA 4.0

Field specs

Wingspan
70 cm

Measurements · avonet · CC BY 4.0

Field tips

flight

  • In flight, look for large, pale blue patches on the forewing and an iridescent green speculum bordered by a crisp white line.

plumage

  • Breeding males exhibit a striking three-toned pattern consisting of an iridescent dark green head, a crisp white breast, and rich chestnut flanks.
  • Females and non-breeding males are mottled brown overall, but can be identified by their oversized bill, which often shows an orange tinge along the mandible.

size_and_shape

  • The massive, spoon-shaped bill is significantly wider at the tip than the base, giving the head a distinctly front-heavy and elongated profile.

voice

  • Listen for the male’s low, rhythmic, and metallic 'cluck-cluck' or 'clunking' call, which is distinct from the typical quacking of other dabbling ducks.

03 · When

When to look

When can you see a Northern Shoveler?

The Northern Shoveler is present across its Australian range year-round, so it can be seen in any month.

  1. Jan
  2. Feb
  3. Mar
  4. Apr
  5. May
  6. Jun
  7. Jul
  8. Aug
  9. Sep
  10. Oct
  11. Nov
  12. Dec

05 · Behaviour

Habits and haunts

06 · Gallery

Plumage up close

2 photos

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02 · Where

Where to find it

Where does the Northern Shoveler live in Australia?

The Northern Shoveler is found in Australia, recorded across 13 of Australia’s bioregions.

BreedingNA, PAL : widespread

Non-breedingMA, AF, OR

Distribution from BirdUp Australia community data

Legend

  • Non-breeding
  • Vagrant

7 regions recorded