Northern shoveler

Latin Anas clypeata L.
Estonian Luitsnokk-part

Also known as: shoveler

Status in Estonia

Breeding and migratory bird.

Description

The Northern shoveler is distinguished by a large, spoon-shaped beak that extends to the sides. The male bird has a green head, a white breast, and a chestnut belly and sides. The top portion of the wing is pale blue in the front, while the secondaries are green with a white border. The female bird resembles a female duck, but with a larger beak and a dark brown belly that contrasts with the white under-wing. The secondaries are greenish grey without a white trailing edge. The male bird in eclipse plumage resembles the female bird, except the belly and sides are a darker colour, the head is darker, and the front part of the upper wing is pale blue. The juvenile looks similar to the female bird, but the top of the head and back of the neck are darker and the belly is duller.

Size

Body length 44–52 cm, wingspan 73–83 cm, body mass 500–800 g.

Northern shoveler (male). Photo: Kauro Kuik

Similar species

Female birds of other ducks species.

Distribution

The Northern shoveler is widespread in the Northern Hemisphere’s forests, tundra, and steppe zones; the southern border reaches the Black Sea, while the northern border reaches the Arctic Circle. The duck is commonly found on the coasts and islands of Western Estonia, on the coast of the Gulf of Finland and by the Emajõe river system.

Population

Estonia has 1000–1500 breeding pairs.

Occurrence in Estonia

It arrives in April. Autumn migration occurs from mid-August to the end of September and to a lesser extent until the end of October.

Diet

It feeds primarily on aquatic plants and invertebrates.

Habitat

It prefers beach meadows and regions with dense grass growth. During the breeding season, it is associated with coastal sedges and shallow coastline areas.

Nesting

In Estonia, the species likes to nest on small islands near the coast, although it also uses beach meadows and lakes. Inland, it is more common on polders, lakes with plenty of food and, in the past, flood-meadows. The nest is built in a sheltered location on a flat surface between tufts of grass. The nest is low, relatively weak and with less down padding compared to other ducks. The female bird lays 7–11 green or cream eggs in the second half of May. Chicks hatch in the first half of June and are able to fly by late July or early August.

Conservation status and protection

Water contamination, wetlands overgrowing and getting overrun with reeds, and disturbances in stopover and nesting areas during migration are all problematic. The natural enemies of the Northern shoveler are falcons and small predators. Over-hunting and tin poisoning in the species’ wintering habitats (France, Spain) endanger the species across its entire range.

Distribution and population in Lääne County

The Northern shoveler is an uncommon breeding and migratory bird in Lääne County. It can be seen from April to October. Although the Northern shoveler is a frequent migratory bird in Matsalu and Haapsalu bays, its population remains modest in comparison to most other dabbling ducks. Birds can often be spotted from the observation towers of Haeska and Keemu, as well as Cape Puise.

They primarily nest on the islets of Matsalu, Hullo and Väinameri.