The Northern Shoveler inhabits wetlands across much of North America and it is easily distinguishable from other waterfowl due to its large spatulate bill. The elongated, spoon-shaped bill has comb like projections called lamellae along its edges, which helps filter out food from the water. In spite of being heavy-set, shovelers are good fliers. They migrate in flocks.

The breeding drake has a glossy dark green head, white breast and chestnut colored belly and flanks. In flight, pale blue forewing feathers are seen separated from the green speculum by a white border. In early fall the male will have a white crescent on each side of the face. The female of this breed is a grayish-brown overall. A few feathers have light edging with darker centers. Their bill is olive-green with yellowish base and edges and eyes are brown. They are easily distinguished by the long broad bill, which is gray tinged with orange on cutting edge and lower mandible. The female's forewing is gray.

The PECk-O-MATIC Automatic Duck Feeder can help to make your birds self sufficient, which is a bonus if you want to take a break from the daily routine. The ¼ inch regulator disc can be used when the feed is millet or mash. The 3/8-inch regulator disc from PECk-O-MATIC Automatic Duck Feeder can be used when crumble or milo make up the feed. Learning period for the poultry is very short due to the small amount of movement when operating.

The Northern Shovelers breed in open, shallow wetlands. They prefer shallow marshes that are have muddy bottoms and have abundant invertebrate life. They feed on seeds of sedges, bulrushes, saw grass, smartweeds, pondweeds, algae and duckweeds, as well as aquatic insects, mollusks and crustaceans. These ducks do not usually tip its head and upper body forward into the water. Female northern shovelers lay an average of 9 eggs.