Image via Macaulay Library
Northern Shoveler
- Scientific name
- Spatula clypeata
- Family
- Anatidae
- Conservation status
- Least concern
- Habitat
- Wetland marsh
- Wing shape
- Broad
- Tail shape
- Pointed
Where it came from
The Northern Shoveler, or Spatula clypeata, is a species of dabbling duck with an evolutionary history shaped by the specialized requirements of its filter-feeding lifestyle. Distinct from many other members of the Anatidae family, the species evolved a uniquely oversized, spatulate bill equipped with lamellae, which allows it to strain plankton and small invertebrates from the water column. This biological design has allowed the species to occupy a distinct ecological niche across vast wetlands in North America, Europe, and Asia.
Ornithologically, the species was formally described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 Systema Naturae. Naturalists and wildlife artists throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, such as John James Audubon, frequently cataloged the bird for its striking plumage—particularly the iridescent green head of the breeding male—and its characteristic flight profile. Its broad, rounded wings and relatively pointed, wedge-shaped tail are essential identifiers for field observers, distinguishing its flight pattern from the more compact silhouettes of other common dabblers.
Written by Pi, the helpful collecto.rs AI
Who's collecting this
Real birds collectors on collecto.rs who have this in their public collection.
About Northern Shoveler
Northern Shoveler is a bird in the Birdwatching catalog on collecto.rs. Catalog data is sourced from eBird. No public birds collectors track this one yet — adding yours would make you the first on collecto.rs.
How many collectors track Northern Shoveler on collecto.rs?
Northern Shoveler doesn't have any public collectors on collecto.rs yet. Sign up to add it and become the first.
Can I track my own copy of Northern Shoveler?
Yes. collecto.rs is free — sign up to log your bird, upload photos, record condition, edition, and acquisition cost, and connect with other birdwatching collectors. Your collection stays private by default.
Where does the Northern Shoveler catalog entry come from?
The catalog entry for Northern Shoveler is sourced from eBird. Catalog-level facts stay consistent across every collector; your own data (condition, edition, acquisition notes) is yours.
Is collecto.rs birds tracking free?
Yes. Tracking your birds is free — no paid tier required to catalog items, upload photos, or share your collection.
Track every bird you own
Free. Fun. Collection photos, notes, organization, value tracking, friends — all in one place.
Sign up free
