The northern shoveler (Spatula clypeata) is a common and widespread duck species that can be found across North America, Europe, and Asia. This duck gets its name from its large, spoon-shaped bill that allows it to more efficiently filter food from the water as it swims along the surface. The northern shoveler has a distinct and colorful plumage, making it easily identifiable. In terms of size, the northern shoveler is considered a medium-sized duck. Read on to learn more about the typical dimensions of this waterfowl species.
Average Length
On average, the northern shoveler reaches a body length of about 18-21 inches (46-53 cm). The wingspan ranges from 24-28 inches (60-70 cm). Compared to other duck species, this puts the northern shoveler on the medium-small end of the size spectrum. Mallards, for example, are on average around 20-26 inches long with a 32-39 inch wingspan. Northern pintails are similar in length at 22-27 inches but have a slightly larger wingspan of 32-37 inches. The smaller green-winged teal only reaches 13-17 inches in length with a 23-27 inch wingspan. So while not the smallest duck around, northern shovelers are certainly on the more compact side. Their shovel-shaped bill that is about 3 inches long makes up a good portion of their total body length.
Average Weight
In terms of weight, male northern shovelers typically weigh about 12-16 ounces (350-450 grams) on average. Females are slightly smaller and weigh 10-14 ounces (280-400 grams). This puts them on the lighter end of duck weights. Mallards, for comparison, can weigh 24-35 ounces. The larger canvasback ducks can weigh up to 42 ounces. Again, the diminutive green-winged teal provides a good comparison at just 6-14 ounces. Overall, the northern shoveler weighs about as much as 3-4 clenched fists. This lightweight build allows them to stay agile and take flight quickly. Their compact size paired with their wide, shovel-shaped bill gives the northern shoveler a distinctive profile both on the water and in the air.
Wingspan
The wingspan of the northern shoveler ranges on average between 24-28 inches (60-70 cm). This wingspan to body length ratio allows them to have relatively quick, agile flight for their size. Northern shovelers are not the fastest flying ducks, but their wide wings provide enough surface area to become airborne while their compact bodies reduce drag. Their rapid wing beats and ability to take off quickly from the water helps them avoid predators. Compared to larger ducks like mallards that need more space to take flight, the northern shoveler can spring into the air swiftly even from narrow marshes and wetlands. Their moderately sized wingspan contributes to their distinctive silhouette in flight.
Bill Size
The most conspicuous feature of the northern shoveler is its large, spoon-shaped bill. The bill averages about 2.75-3 inches (7-7.5 cm) in length. For the duck’s body size, the bill is quite generous and makes up a significant portion of its overall length. The shovel-shaped adaptation allows northern shovelers to more efficiently feed. Tiny comb-like structures called lamellae line the edges of the bill and filter food as water is pumped through the mouth. This gives the northern shoveler an evolutionary advantage when feeding compared to ducks without specialized bills. The shoveler’s oversized bill also provides ample space for sensory receptors, allowing the duck to easily locate food items like aquatic invertebrates in murky water using touch.
Leg Length
The legs of the northern shoveler are a bit on the short side compared to its body length. The legs only extend a few inches down from the body as the duck floats along the water surface. The legs are positioned centrally on the body, which provides good maneuverability and allows shovelers to stand upright while swimming. However, since their legs are set far back on the body, northern shovelers have a difficult time walking on land. Their short legs combined with feet positioned so far back makes them very unsteady. Northern shovelers will avoid getting out of the water if at all possible. If forced to walk on land, they have a distinct rocking, waddling gait. Overall, the northern shoveler’s legs are typically just long enough to provide some propulsion and maneuverability in the water and not much else.
Plumage and Coloration
The northern shoveler drake has a striking and unmistakable plumage. The head and neck are iridescent dark green. The chest is white, the sides are chestnut, and the back is black. The tail feathers and vent area are also white. The shoveler’s blue upper wing coverts are also quite conspicuous in flight or when the wings are spread. The bill is greyish-black, and the legs and feet are orange. Females have a similar pattern but with more subdued colors. Their plumage is primarily brown and mottled tan with paler faces and bellies. The wing coverts have less blue iridescence. Juveniles resemble adult females but are duller overall until their first molt. The colorful plumage of males along with their unique bill shape makes identification straightforward. females blend in more with their cryptic brown patterning.
Variation in Size
There is some variation in size between northern shoveler individuals across their widespread geographic range. Overall, birds follow Bergmann’s rule, which states that body size increases with latitude. More northerly populations in North America and Eurasia tend to be slightly larger on average than those closer to the equator. The smallest northern shovelers occur in parts of North Africa, the Middle East, and southern Asia. Larger races are found in northern Europe and Russia. Both sexes follow this same geographic gradation of increasing size at higher latitudes. Habitat conditions can also influence body size. Northern shovelers breeding at nutrient rich wetlands may have access to more food resources and thus grow a bit larger and have better breeding success. However, these minor variations across populations do not drastically change the averages already discussed.
Sexual Dimorphism
There is pronounced sexual dimorphism between male and female northern shovelers. As in many other duck species, the males are more colorful and ornamented while females have evolved camouflaging, cryptic plumage. Males are around 10-20% larger in terms of weight and body dimensions. The wing area of males is typically 5-7% greater as well. Their larger size allows males to be more dominant during breeding interactions. Males also devote more energy reserves to feather production and ornamentation to attract females. The shoveler’s bill also exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males having slightly larger bills likely due to their proportionally greater lamellae structures used for more efficient feeding. Overall, male northern shovelers allocate more resources to both survival-related traits like body size and competition-related sexual characteristics.
Juvenile Size
Northern shoveler hatchlings start out quite small, weighing just 0.5-0.75 ounces (15-20 grams). Their total length is only about 3 inches (7 cm) from bill to tail. They are covered in downy feathers and resemble cotton balls on legs. The wings are not large enough yet for any flight. Ducklings grow quickly, however. After the first week, they may double their hatching weight. The shoveler bill begins to take shape after 10 days. Flight feathers start to emerge around 3 weeks of age. By 6-7 weeks old, young northern shovelers are fairly independent and resemble miniature adults. They achieve a length of 14 inches by this point. Full adult size is reached by 12-16 weeks of age following a period of rapid juvenile growth. Their rapid development equips them for migration and survival through their first winter.
Role of Size in Survival
The northern shoveler’s medium-small size helps it survive in several key ways. Their lightweight build allows for quick takeoffs to escape predators like hawks, coyotes, and foxes. Their shorter wings provide maneuverability to twist and turn while flying through dense marsh vegetation. A smaller body requires less food, so northern shovelers can exploit nutrient-poor wetlands that couldn’t sustain larger waterfowl. Their shoveler bill allows them to feed more efficiently on tiny aquatic invertebrates. A smaller size also helps retain heat in cold water while foraging. Overall, the northern shoveler is well adapted to its particular ecological niche, and its compact size plays an important role in its success across widespread aquatic habitats.
Comparisons to Other Duck Species
The northern shoveler has an average length of 18-21 inches and wingspan of 24-28 inches. This makes it smaller than mallards (20-26 inch length, 32-39 inch wingspan) but larger than green-winged teal (13-17 inches long, 23-27 inch wingspan). In terms of weight, the 12-16 ounce male northern shoveler is lighter than the 24-35 ounce male mallard but heavier than the 6-14 ounce male green-winged teal. Across all body dimensions, the shoveler is intermediate between these two other common dabbling duck species. The shoveler’s bill size of 2.75-3 inches is quite disproportionately large for its body size compared to mallards and green-winged teal. Overall, the northern shoveler occupies its own niche as a medium-small duck with a unique feeding adaptation.
Conclusion
In summary, the northern shoveler reaches an average body length of 18-21 inches, wingspan of 24-28 inches, and weight of around 12-16 ounces for males and 10-14 ounces for females. The oversized 3 inch shovel-shaped bill accounts for a good portion of their overall length. Dimensions are usually 5-20% greater for males than females. Geographically, body size increases slightly with latitude. The shoveler’s medium-small size provides advantages in terms of maneuverability, heat retention, quick flight, and ability to feed efficiently. Their unique adaptations allow northern shovelers to thrive across a wide range of shallow wetland habitats.