Common Shoveler Common shoveler
Common Shoveler

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

  1. Males are called drakes, females are hens, and young are called ducklings.
  2. 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.