Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata)

County List:

Rule:

Mixed Forested/Nonforested or Nonforested Landscapes

Nesting and Foraging/Brood Rearing Habitats are Adjacent during the early breeding season.

Nesting Habitat:
      (Field/Pasture or Sedge Meadow)
   adjacent to: 
      (Pond or Sewage Lagoons & Farm Ponds)
   
Foraging/Brood Rearing Habitat:
      (Pond or Sewage Lagoons & Farm Ponds)
   adjacent to:
      Any Emergent Wetland

Habitat List:

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Literature:

Habitat: Northern Shovelers are most apt to be seen in shallow, productive open water areas and marshes. During spring they can be observed in sheet water areas and temporary ponds where they probably feed on fairy shrimp, zooplankton, and scuds. Shovelers are most often seen in association with Blue-winged Teal. Nests are located in short, dense grass, usually between 20 and 60 m from the water.

Shovelers are making use of sewage ponds and impoundments.

Habitat: Breeding: Sloughs, marshes, shallow ponds with open water and abundant aquatic vegetation. Apparently tolerates water pollution or stagnation.

Special Habitat Requirements: Shallow bodies of water with muddy bottoms, surrounded by dry grassy areas for nesting.

Habitat: Marshes, ponds; in winter, also salt bays. In summer in open country such as prairie, marsh, or tundra, in vicinity of shallow water. In migration and winter on alkaline lakes, fresh marshes, tidal estuaries, or any shallow waters with extensive muddy margins, including stagnant or polluted waters not much favored by other ducks.

Diet: Varies with season and habitat. In winter, may feed mostly on seeds and other parts of aquatic plants, such as sedges, pondweeds, grasses and others. Also (especially in summer) eats mollusks, insects, crustaceans, sometimes small fish.

Nest: Site is usually close to water, generally in area of short grass. Nest is a shallow depression partly filled with dried grasses and weeds, lined with down.