Scientific Classification
- Common Name
- common shoveler, northern shoveler
- Kingdom
- Animalia
- Phylum
- Chordata
- Class
- Aves
- Order
- Anseriformes
- Family
- Anatidae
- Genus Species
- Spatula clypteata (shielded). This species was previously placed in the Genus Anas (duck).
Fast Facts
- Description
- The common shoveler is a small duck with a flat head and a long spatulate bill and large pale blue wing patches. The head is a glossy black with green, the breast is white, the belly and sides are reddish, and the legs are orange.
- Size
- 42.5 to 50 cm (17 to 20 in.) long; wingspan 67.5 to 82.5 cm (27 to 33 in.)
- Weight
- Approximately 0.56 to 0.67 kg (1.25 to 1.5 lbs.)
- Diet
- Their diet consists of small aquatic invertebrates such as adult and larval insects, mollusks, planktonic crustaceans, the seeds of emergent and aquatic plants, annelids, amphibian spawn, tadpoles, spiders, fish, and the vegetative parts of aquatic plants.
- Incubation
- 22 to 24 days
- Clutch Size
- 10 to 12 eggs
- Fledging Duration
- 39 to 49 days
- Sexual Maturity
- 1 to 2 years
- Life Span
- 1 to 2 years
- Range
- The Common Shoveler has an extremely large range and can be found from Alaska to Columbia and Venezuela, Europe, Russia, India, South East Asia, Japan, and the Philippines.
- Habitat
- This species inhabits permanent shallow freshwater wetlands from sea level up to 2,900 m, with preferred sites being those surrounded by dense stands of reeds or other emergent vegetation that is free of overhanging trees or fringing forest. Areas with copious submerged aquatic vegetation that shelters abundant planktonic invertebrates is a desirable habitat characteristic.
- Population
- The global population is estimated at 6,500,000 to 7,000,000 individuals. The European population is estimated at 170,000 to 233,000 pairs, which equates to 340,000 to 466,000 mature individuals. The global population is estimated at 6,500,000 to 7,000,000 individuals.. The European population is estimated at 170,000 to 233,000 pairs, which equates to 340,000 to 466,000 mature individuals..
-
- The overall population trend is decreasing, although some populations may be increasing and others have unknown trends
- Status
- IUCN: Least concern
CITES: Appendix III
USFWS: Not listed
Fun Facts
- Males are called drakes, females are hens, and young are called ducklings.
- The common shoveler has a bill with comb-like serrations along the upper and lower mandibles. Scientists believe this feature aids in filter feeding.
Ecology and Conservation
The common shoveler is hunted for sport in North America, Denmark, and Italy, and is hunted commercially and recreationally in Iran.
This species is threatened by habitat loss in Britain and Ireland.
These ducks are a plentiful food source for local carnivores and birds of prey.
Bibliography
Austin, G. Birds of the World. New York. Golden Press, Inc., 1961.
Gotch, A.F. Birds - Their Latin Names Explained. UK. Blandford Books Ltd., 1981.
Johnsgard, P. Ducks, Geese, and Swans of the World. Lincoln. Univ. Of Neb. Press, 1978.
BirdLife International. 2016. Spatula clypeata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22680247A86018682. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22680247A86018682.en. Downloaded on 07 November 2018.
BirdLife International. 2016. Spatula clypeata. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22680247A86018682. http://dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22680247A86018682.en. Downloaded on 07 November 2018.
Photo Credit: Northern_Shoveler_(Male).jpg. Source: Wikimedia Commons. Image by: Alan Wilson, naturespicsonline.com. Year Created: January 2006. Website: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Northern_Shoveler_(Male).jpg. License: CC by SA 2.0.
