Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) - a photo on Flickriver

Click back to the first comment to view the series.

.
This series highlights some of the fauna I've seen so far this spring from our log home on Bluebird Estates.

.
This species is unmistakable in the northern hemisphere due to its large spatulate bill. The breeding drake has an iridescent dark green head,[8] white breast and chestnut belly and flanks. In flight, pale blue forewing feathers are revealed, separated from the green speculum by a white border. In early fall the male will have a white crescent on each side of the face.[4] In non-breeding (eclipse) plumage, the drake resembles the female.

The female is a drab mottled brown like other dabblers,[8] with plumage much like a female Mallard, but easily distinguished by the long broad bill, which is gray tinged with orange on cutting edge and lower mandible.[4] The female's forewing is gray.

They are 19 inches (48 cm) long and have a wingspan of 30 inches (76 cm) with a weight of 600 grams (1.3 lb).[3]

Behavior [edit]
In flightNorthern Shovelers feed by dabbling for plant food, often by swinging its bill from side to side and using the bill to strain food from the water. They use their highly specialized bill (from which their name is derived) to forage for aquatic invertebrates â€“ a carnivorous diet. Their wide-flat bill is equipped with well-developed lamellae â€“ small, comb-like structures on the edge of the bill that act like sieves, allowing the birds to skim crustaceans and plankton from the water's surface. This adaptation, more specialized in shovelers, gives them an advantage over other puddle ducks, with which they do not have to compete for food resources during most of the year. Thus, mud-bottomed marshes rich in invertebrate life are their habitat of choices.[8]

The shoveler prefers to nest in grassy areas away from open water. Their nest is a shallow depression on the ground, lined with plant material and down. Hens typically lay about nine eggs. The drakes are very territorial during breeding season and will defend their territory and partners from competing males. Drakes also engage in elaborate courtship behaviors, both on the water and in the air; it is not uncommon for a dozen or more males to pursue a single hen. Despite their stout appearance, shovelers are nimble fliers.[8]

This is a fairly quiet species. The male has a clunking call, whereas the female has a Mallard-like quack.

Habitat and range [edit]This is a bird of open wetlands, such as wet grassland or marshes with some emergent vegetation.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Shoveler

Have a wonderful Sunday and thanks for dropping by.

Taken on: May 10, 2013

Tags:

peggyhr

Northern Shoveler

brown

white

green

black

yellow

blue

reflections

water

ripples

MG_9646bA

Bluebird Estates

Alberta

Canada

Anas clypeata

wetlands

“flickrAward

Blink Again

Nature's Pot-of-Gold: Level 1

25+ Faves

Fine Gold « less

Sets appears in: • Bluebird Estates 2013 • Flora and Fauna of Bluebird Estates more » • Wildlife • Reflections • More of your Faves « less

Groups appears in: • !*Flickr Award Group*! (GIVE 5 AWARDS) • Blink Again - Post 1 - Comment 2 (no 30/60 limit )

Camera: Canon EOS REBEL T3i, f/6.3, 1/320 sec, 250mm, ISO 500 (more info) (hide info)

Camera:	Canon EOS REBEL T3i
Aperture:	f/6.3
Exposure Time:	0.003 sec (1/320)
Focal Length:	250mm
ISO:	500
Exposure Bias:	0 EV
Flash:	Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program:	Program AE
Exposure Mode:	Auto
Metering Mode:	Multi-segment
White Balance:	Auto
Color Space:	sRGB
Software:	ACD Systems Digital Imaging
Show full info

Stats: 6,585 views / 49 comments