All About the Shoveler Duck - Shoveler Facts & Information

The Shoveler is a surface feeding duck species, recognised for its oversized, spatula-shaped bill. In the UK, it’s a breeding species, and these breeding populations are joined by wintering birds. Shovelers live in calm, shallow wetlands, where they sieve food from the water's surface. 

Male Northern Shovelers have dark green heads, white breasts, and chestnut belly. Females are more plain, with mottled brown coloured feathers. When flying, you can spot a light blue and green colour on this bird's wings. 

They are on the Amber list under birds of conservation concern and are protected in the UK under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Males produce a low "took-took" call; females make a softer version of the Mallard quack.

Where do Northern Shovelers Live?

The Northern Shovelers prefer shallow freshwater wetlands, lagoons, floodplains and marshes. When nesting, they head for dense marginal vegetation, and they feed in open areas for feeding. 

In the winter, you’ll find them in estuaries, reservoirs and coastal wetlands, and they tend to breed in southern and eastern England, in areas like East Anglia, Yorkshire and the Seven Valley.

What Do Shovelers Eat?

Shovelers are known as ‘filter feeders; this means they use their broad, fringed bill to strain, sweeping their heads across the water surface to disturb and scoop up prey. 

Their main prey is aquatic invertebrates (water fleas and insect larvae), seeds from aquatic plants and algae and plankton. 

Breeding Season 

Breeding takes place between April and July, with peak nesting occurring in late spring to early summer. 

The females of this bird species pick a nesting site near shallow water, with areas of dense cover (tall grasses, rushes, reeds or scrub) - this helps to conceal the nest from predators and being close to water means ducklings can access it quickly after hatching. 

The nest is simple, shallow and on the ground, it is lined with plant material and down feathers plucked from her own breast. 

A typical clutch contains 6 to 14 pale olive-buff eggs. The female lays one egg per day, and only begins incubation once the last egg is laid to ensure synchronised hatching.

Incubation lasts 22–25 days, during which time the female remains highly secretive, relying on camouflage and stillness to avoid detection.

Males often desert the nest shortly after incubation begins, sometimes forming small bachelor groups or starting early migration to moulting sites.

Within 24 hours of hatching, the female leads the ducklings away from the nest to nearby water, where they begin feeding on tiny aquatic invertebrates. The female continues to protect and guide the brood, though she does not feed them directly. Ducklings grow rapidly and fledge (develop full flight feathers) at around 40 to 45 days old.

Predators & Threats

Northern Shovelers, like many ground-nesting birds, face a range of natural predators. Eggs and chicks are particularly vulnerable to foxes, carrion crows, gulls, and herons, which may raid nests or snatch young ducklings soon after hatching. Adult shovelers, especially females with broods, can also be targeted by birds of prey such as Marsh Harriers, which patrol wetland areas in search of easy prey.

Beyond natural predation, shovelers are increasingly impacted by human-related threats. One of the most significant is habitat loss, particularly from the drainage of wetlands, agricultural expansion, and urban development, all of which reduce suitable nesting and feeding grounds. 

Water pollution, often from agricultural runoff or industrial waste, can degrade wetland quality and reduce the availability of aquatic invertebrates, their main food source.