However, when she displays her large, spoon-shaped bill, species identification is quickly resolved. Worldwide there are ten bird species in the spatula genus. Locally, there is only one with such a large distinctive bill, the aptly named, Northern Shoveler.
Elsewhere, there are three other species with similar-looking bills and the common name, Shoveler. Curiously, they all reside in the Southern Hemisphere, i.e. Africa, S. America and Australia, and unlike the Northern Shoveler, none of them are migratory. Each of these other species (i.e. the Cape Shoveler, the Red Shoveler, and the Australasian Shoveler) resides in the most southern portion of their respective continents. I suspect this is due to the lack of ice-free land closer to the South Pole. Apparently, there is no better place to be during their breeding season and also no more productive wintering grounds closer to the equator.
Click Here to see how the Northern Shoveler migration involves nearly all of the Northern Hemisphere.
An adult male Northern Shoveler also has an easily identifiable bill. However, even when their bills are hidden, by feathers or distance, their breeding plumage provides a uniquely identifiable pattern.
My friend Marcus taught me that the head is dark, the chest is light, the sides are dark, the hips are light, and the tail is dark. Regardless of which way the bird is facing the pattern is always, "dark-light-dark-light-dark".
None of our other local ducks have this distinctive pattern.
When the males are in eclipse plumage (and also when immature) they are difficult to distinguish from females. Eclipse plumage typically happens during late Summer and early Fall while they are growing new flight feathers. This photo was taken in September.
Sometimes, an adult male in breeding plumage will still have dark little half-moon shapes on the chest which I suspect are the last remnants of their chest feathers from their eclipse plumage. This photo was taken in February.
It is good to know that not every male in February is at exactly the same stage in their plumage replacement. Curiously, the bill on this bird is neither the black of an adult male in breeding plumage or the bright orange of an adult female.
Regardless of their particular plumage adult males have yellow irises that are lighter than the yellow-brown irises of the females.
Note the darker irises.
This photo also shows how the Shovelers utilize their spoon or shovel-like bills. Inside the bills are comb-like lamellae which filter microscopic food out of the water. I suspect the depression in the water surrounding the front of their bills is caused in part by water flowing into the bills.
It is challenging to see, but the filtered water then exits on each side near the rear of the bill.
Shovelers often swim in circles with their bills just below the surface. Apparently, the circling helps to concentrate the density of their food.
This feeding function reminds me of filter-feeding whales.
A simplified way of classifying ducks is to sort them into diving ducks and dabbling ducks. Diving ducks become fully submerged while searching for food, like fish and crustaceans. Dabbling ducks tend to focus more on plant material that they can reach with only their heads and chests underwater.
Shovelers are considered dabbling ducks, even though they filter feed more often than dabbling. Last Friday, the Shoveler on the right was dabbling. The one on the left had not yet fully committed.
Soon, it gave in to the urge. Like other dabbling ducks they use their webbed feet as positioning paddles to help maintain this vertical position. This results in this oddly undignified position during which their tails wave at the world. I am surprised that I have never seen a Bald Eagle snatch a dabbling duck out of the water. It does seem like the perfect opportunity for a raptor.
Northern Shovelers are usually quite well-behaved. When circling and feeding they never seem to get irritated by their neighbors. They seem quite well-mannered.
On Friday, when the male on the left passed a bit close to the bird on the right it raised its head.
A second later, they both lowered their heads at the same time.
Next, they lifted their heads together. This head pumping was repeated multiple times. I have read this can be part of the mating process. However, since this occurred between two males it seemed more like a friendly greeting. It reminded me of how one might say, "Pardon Me" when bumping into a stranger in the grocery store. It worked. They each went on about their business without any conflict.
In February 2016, near the beginning of the breeding season, these two males were not in such a forgiving mood.
I did not notice a female nearby so I suspect this was a territorial battle.
The spray of water emphasized the thrashing, splashing and chasing. The open wings provided a flash of normally hidden colors.
Ultimately, the intimidation worked and one gave up and left.
The victor proudly did a series of wing flaps.
The green on the lower secondary wing feathers is the speculum. The patch of pale blue above the white stripe is on the upper coverts. These coverts cover the base of the secondary wing feathers.
From the head to the tail, the exterior feathers on a bird are arranged so that they cover the base of the next feather enabling the feathers to shed water and keep the bird's downy under feathers dry. I suspect that humans learned how to arrange shingles on their roofs by studying the arrangement of feathers on the birds they were eating.
Here is a closer look at a Northern Shoveler's speculum.
Of the ten spatula species, there are two others that I have seen around Union Bay. They are the Cinnamon Teal and the Blue-winged Teal. These two species are closely related to the four Shoveler species. Based on an online review of photos, I believe the males of these species all have this same pattern of color on their speculums and secondary coverts.
This photo from 2017 shows a bird (on the right) with the bill, eyes, and head coloring of a Northern Shoveler, however, it also has a white mark at the base of the bill. This mark looks like it might belong on a Blue-winged Teal. I suspect the two species are genetically similar enough to occasionally interbreed.
Another stunning color on a Northern Shoveler is the bright electric orange of their feet.
The next time you see a group of Northern Shovelers quietly paddling in circles, I hope you are inspired to take a second look. Even though they are normally calm and quiet, they are still uniquely interesting.
Have a great day on Union Bay...where nature lives in the city and Black Birders are welcome!
Sincerely,
Larry
Going Native:
Each of us, who breathes the air, drinks water, and eats food should be helping to protect our environment. Local efforts are most effective and sustainable. Native plants and trees encourage the largest diversity of lifeforms because of their long intertwined history with our local environment and native creatures. Even the microbes in the soil are native to each local landscape.
I hope we can inspire ourselves, our neighbors, and local businesses to respect native flora and support native wildlife at every opportunity. I have learned that our most logical approach to native trees and plants (in order of priority) should be to:
1) Learn and leave established native flora undisturbed.2) Remove invasive species and then wait to see if native plants begin to grow without assistance. (When native plants start on their own, then these plants or trees are likely the most appropriate flora for the habitat.)3) Scatter seeds from nearby native plants in a similar habitat.4) If you feel you must add a new plant then select a native plant while considering how the plant fits with the specific habitat and understanding the plant's logical place in the normal succession of native plants.
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Keystone native plants are an important new idea. Douglas Tallamy, in the book "Nature's Best Hope ", explains that caterpillars supply more energy to birds, particularly young birds in their nests, than any other plant eater. He also mentions that 14% of our native plants, i.e. Keystone Plants, provide food for 90% of our caterpillars. This unique subset of native plants and trees enables critical moths, butterflies, and caterpillars that in turn provide food for the great majority of birds, especially during the breeding season.
Note: Flowering plants and trees, i.e. those pollinated by bees, are also included as Keystone Plants.
This video explains the native keystone plants very nicely:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5cXccWx030
The Top Keystone Genera in our ecoregion i.e. Plants and trees you might want in your yard:
Additional content available here:
https://wos.org/wos-wp/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Native-Plant-Resources-10-7-22.pdf
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In the area below, I am displaying at least one photo with each post to help challenge us to know the difference between native and non-native lifeforms.
Is this tree native to our area? What species is it?
Scroll down for the answer.
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Bitter Cherry: Yes, it is native in our area. The scientific name is Prunus Emarginata. In addition to flowers that attract native pollinators, this tree is one of the top species for facilitating the reproduction of butterflies and moths, via their caterpillars. Caterpillars are one of the largest and most helpful food sources for a large variety of young birds. Given the trees productivity and relatively smaller size it may be the all around best tree to plant in our PNW yards. You can learn more about why it is special by Clicking Here and Here.
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The Email Challenge:
In response, I have set up my own email list. With each post, I will manually send out an announcement. If you would like to be added to my personal email list please send me an email requesting to be added. Something like:
Larry, Please add me to your personal email list.
My email address is:
LDHubbell@comcast.net
Thank you!
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The Comment Challenge:
Bottom Line:
If you write a long comment, please, copy it before hitting enter. Then, if the comment function fails to record your information, you can send the comment directly to me using email.
My email address is:
LDHubbell@comcast.net
Larry
Parting Shots:
