Kingdom: Animalia       Phylum: Chordata      Class: Aves (Birds)      Order: Anseriformes       Family: Anatidae

Northern Shoveler (Anas clypeata), also called Shoveller, is a common winter visitor to wetlands of India. Size: 51 cm   Local names: Tidari, Tokarwala, Punana

Identification: Northern Shoveler is so named for its distinct large spoon-shaped bill. The male Shoveler has greenish feathers on the head and neck, the breast and belly are white, the back is black and white, and the wings have a chestnut hue, with the inner wings being bluish. The female's belly and breast are white, the body is a brownish color, and the inner wings are bluish. The bill of the Northern Shoveler has hair like lamellae that filter the water and capture the small plankton.

Habits: Northern Shovelers prefer shallow saltwater or freshwater wetlands like marshes, swamps, lakes, and lagoons. As they are not not aggressive birds, they can get along with other dabbling ducks, diving ducks, whistling ducks and Shelducks.

Food: water insects, snails and plankton, fish, spawn and small quantities of vegetable shoots.