Key information
Shovelers are surface feeing ducks with huge spatulate bills. Males have dark green heads, with white breasts and chestnut flanks. Females are mottled brown. In flight birds show patches of light blue and green on their wings. In the UK they breed in southern and eastern England, especially around the Ouse Washes, the Humber and the North Kent Marshes and in much smaller numbers in Scotland and western parts of England. In winter, breeding birds move south, and are replaced by an influx of continental birds from further north.
The UK is home to more than 20 per cent of the NW European population, making it an Amber List species.
What they eat:
Small insects and plant matter sifted from the water.
Measurements:
- Length:
- 44-52cm
- Wingspan:
- 70-84cm
- Weight:
- 400-1000g
Population:
- UK breeding:
- 700 pairs
- UK wintering:
- 18,000 birds
Identifying features:
This bird species has different identifying features depending on sex/age/season.
Shoveler (male)
Shoveler (female)
