male northern shoveler spatula clypeata close

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Close up of a group of Northern shoveler Spatula clypeata ducks feeding in the waters of south San Francisco bay area, Palo Alto Royalty Free Stock Photo

Male Northern shoveler Royalty Free Stock Photo

Male Northern Shoveler Spatula clypeata Close-Up

This species is unmistakable in the northern hemisphere due to its large spatulate bill. The breeding drake has an iridescent dark green head, 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. In non-breeding eclipse plumage, the drake resembles the female.nThe female is a drab mottled brown like other dabblers, 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.