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  • Shoveler

Shoveler

Shoveler (male)
Shoveler (male)
Shoveler (male / eclipse plumage)
Shoveler (male / eclipse plumage)
Shoveler (female)
Shoveler (female)
  • Scientific name: Anas clypeata
  • Bird family: Ducks, geese and swans
  • UK conservation status: Amber
  • Protected by The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981

Shoveler call audio

Your browser does not support this audio feature.

Paul Driver, xeno-canto

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 is the number of pairs breeding annually. UK wintering is the number of individuals present from October to March. UK passage is the number of individuals passing through on migration in spring and/or autumn.
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)

Male shoveler
Feather colour: Black Blue Brown Green Grey Orange White
Leg colour: Orange
Beak: Black Brown Long Duck-like Chunky
Natural habitats: Grassland Marine and intertidal Wetland

Shoveler (female)

Female shoveler
Feather colour: Blue Brown Cream/buff Green Grey White
Leg colour: Orange
Beak: Black Brown Orange Long Duck-like Chunky
Natural habitats: Grassland Marine and intertidal Wetland

Similar birds:

Shelduck illustration
Shelduck
Mallard male
Mallard
Garganey male
Garganey

Where and when to see them

Although widespread in winter, shovelers can be seen in large numbers at places such as the RSPB's Ouse Washes nature reserve, Rutland Water and Abberton Reservoir in Essex.

* This map is intended as a guide. It shows general distribution rather than detailed, localised populations.
  • Resident
  • Passage
  • Summer
  • Winter
Shoveler distribution map

Shovelers can be seen all year round.

  • jan
  • feb
  • mar
  • apr
  • may
  • jun
  • jul
  • aug
  • sep
  • oct
  • nov
  • dec

RSPB reserves

  • RSPB Valley Wetlands
  • RSPB Mill Dam, Shapinsay
  • RSPB Newport Wetlands
  • RSPB Cors Ddyga

Video

A pair of shovelers use their bills to search for food

A pair of shovelers use their bills to search for food

Shoveler video screenshot

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