Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata) 

 Audio

Identification

• medium sized duck
• both sexes have large, spoon- or shovel-shaped bills
• male has green head, dark bill
• white breast, brown on sides with white areas above and at tail end
• female mottled brown like female mallard, but has large flat bill
• both show light blue forewing patch in flight
• 19" (48 cm.)

Habitat

• Wetlands

Additional Information

• common migrant
• uncommon breeder in Wisconsin
• more common in western North America
• drake Mallard has similar colors but is much larger, shaped differently, has dark breast