Northern Shoveler

The Northern Shoveler (Scientific name - Anas clypeata) is a medium sized duck found in wetlands throughout North America. The species has a distinctive spoon like bill that has comblike edges to filter food from water. They migrate South as far as Northern South America. This species is also found in Europe, Africa and South Asia. It is commonly referred to as Shoveler.

They have has a long dark spoon shaped bill, dark in colour in males and more grey and orange in females. The male has an iridescent green head, white chest and rusty brown sides. Back is darker and they display more green near the tail.  The female is mostly brown in colour. 

Three top photos were taken in March 2013 at the George C. Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary in Delta, B.C.  Bottom two photos taken at Mill Lake, Abbotsford, B.C. in February 2015,

Female