 Breeding evidence |
 Relative abundance |
 Probability of observation |
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Click on plot to view table of mean abundance
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Number of squares
Long-term BBS trends
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Mean abundance (number of birds detected per 5 min. point count) and percentage of squares occupied by region Bird Conservation Regions [abund. plot]
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Atlas Results
Northern Shovelers were common and widespread in the south of the boreal forest, avoiding only the most densely forested areas or where wetlands were scarce. Sightings declined rapidly in the boreal forest, with scattered records as far north as Uranium City and Stony Rapids. The earliest nest was found on 14 May 2018, and fledged young were documented as early as 3 June 2021.
Note: During all years of the Saskatchewan Breeding Bird Atlas drought conditions persisted and the Atlas range maps for all waterfowl, waterbirds, and wetland-associated species should be viewed as characteristic of distribution and abundance during dry conditions. Read the full drought statement here.
Excerpts Adapted from the Birds of Saskatchewan:
The Northern Shoveler's prominent spoon-shaped bill provides this dabbling duck with a fine filter-feeding system, and makes it visually distinctive (Smith 2001). On water, the male utters snuff, snuff sounds while pumping his head up and down. If the female is duly impressed, she too may pump her head in approval (Roy 1996). They breed from Alaska across western Canada and the western US; wintering in the southwest US and Mexico south to northern South America.
Northern Shovelers are most frequently found in potholes, roadside ditches, muddy fresh water, and sewage lagoons. "The Shoveler or Spoonbill is a lover of the mud, and consequently the shallow, muddy prairie sloughs are its favourite habitat? (Taverner 1945). Adjacent upland habitat is required for nesting. Post-breeding males and moulting birds, followed by fall staging birds, may be seen on larger, permanent wetlands from mid-June to freeze-up.
Northern Shovelers have been recorded nesting commonly in the mixed-grass prairie and parklands, but they are uncommon in the boreal forest (apart from the Cumberland Marshes, where they are common) and shortgrass prairie (Smith 1996).
Original text by Molly Lux and Catherine Soos. Text adapted by Daniel J. Sawatzky
Read more about the Northern Shoveler in the Birds of Saskatchewan here.
Recommended citation: Latremouille, L. M. 2025. Northern Shoveler in Latremouille, L. M., S. L. Van Wilgenburg, C. B. Jardine, D. Lepage, A. R. Couturier, D. Evans, D. Iles, and K. L. Drake (eds.). 2025. The Atlas of the Breeding Birds of Saskatchewan, 2017-2021. Birds Canada. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan https://sk.birdatlas.ca/accounts/speciesaccount.jsp?sp=NSHO&lang=en [14 Nov 2025]
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