I captured some great shots recently of a Northern Shoveler feasting on duckweed at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. In the two images I’m sharing, you can see how the duckweed has blanketed the surface of the water near the 4-corners area. This Shoveler is just plowing through it, and as you can see, quite a bit of duckweed collects on its feathers as it feeds. It always amazes me that they can still take flight after gorging on duckweed. They manage it with no trouble.
How Northern Shovelers Use Their Specialized Bill
The Northern Shoveler is a dabbling duck, meaning it forages for food at or near the water’s surface. The Shoveler’s bill has comb-like lamellae that help it filter tiny aquatic invertebrates and seeds from the water. This shovel-shaped bill also lets it skim algae, crustaceans, and other small creatures from marshy bottoms. The duck often swims in wide circles to stir up the sediment.
Duckweed as a Key Food Source for Northern Shovelers
While the shoveler is omnivorous and will eat insects, snails, tadpoles, and other animal matter, duckweed is a staple of its diet. Duckweed is a tiny floating plant packed with nutrients. The Shoveler uses its bill to strain huge amounts of it from the water. Watching a Shoveler plow through a thick mat of duckweed, like in these photos, is a treat for any birder or nature photographer.
How Waterfowl Spread Duckweed Across Wetlands
The duckweed seems endless at the Sequoyah refuge. It provides an abundant food source for the Northern Shovelers that visit this time of year. I feel lucky to have captured this bird feeding in its element. Its bill is built perfectly for this job. Even though these ducks eat a lot, they still take to the skies with no problem. They continue their migrations without missing a beat. Waterfowl like Northern Shovelers also help spread duckweed. Small pieces stick to their feathers and get carried to new bodies of water as they travel. So while the ducks feast on the duckweed, they also help it grow in new places.
Image Information (First Image):
- Date: 11/12/23
- Time: 10:27 AM
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
- ISO: 320
- Aperture: 7.1
- Shutter: 1/1250
- Exp. Comp.: 0
- Lens (mm): 500
- Program Mode: Manual