Northern Shoveler

An outstanding feature of this dabbling duck, that is so readily observable, is its long spatulate bill. The Northern Shoveler skims the water for food and comb like projections along the side of its bill allows the food to remain while the water sieves out. The female Shoveler is very similar in appearance to the female Mallard Duck but as with the male, the long bill sets it apart and gives it its own distinctive identifying feature.