Shoveler

Ducks Earl Plato

I have one! Thanks to a son-in-law I have a Shoveler. You duck enthusiasts know what I mean. It’s a beautiful large wood carving of Spatula clypeata.
The Northern Shoveler stands alone. No other duck in North America carries about such a long, broad, extremely specialized bill. Note its earlier name - Spatula. That tells you something. The carved duck is looking down at me from the shelf over my desk. Why such a bill? The carving doesn’t tell me but I read that its spoon-like bill has comb-like structures that helps it dabble in the mud. This unique equipment, helps it sift out much of its food. Small ponds and mud holes supply it with its favourite food, minute aquatic animals. Protozoa? Tell me.
My carving is a handsome male in full plumage. Will I see one on my drives from Fort Erie to Niagara-on-the-Lake in 2001? I have never seen one locally. The male has a green head almost black from a distance. Its body is white with chestnut flanks. Both male and female have pale ,blue wing patches. My carving has a very subdued bluish-beige. Which colour is right? Let’s not forget the Shoveler’s bill. In my Audubon book the male bill is black, the female’s yellow. My carving which is a male has a yellow bill! I need help. You old duck hunters or duck lovers set me straight, eh. Bill me, please at 894-2417.
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Since I saw my first one in the eighties I return to Niagara-on-the-Lake a number of times each year. Seeing and hearing is believing. As you step out from your car you hear their mating calls. Yes, they are the Old Squaws. One of our most loquacious ducks. Their calls can be heard for miles. There were two hundred or more at the mouth of the Niagara on this mid-week day Let me describe this beatific duck, No, I don’t have a wood carving of this one of my favourites, however, I hope to add one to my collection.
This species of Anatidae is full of life and vigour. That’s why we stand at various places along the mouth in order to get a good view. Some were gathered not far from Fort Niagara and the New York State shoreline. You could hear their calls -m resounding cries likened to the baying of a pack of hounds. (mellow barking) Believe me? Check it out this winter at N.O.T.L.
Watch the male pursue a female. Watch the long tail. Sometimes it is raised high and wagged horizontally. No kidding! It’s wagging like the tail of a dog! Wildly and rapidly.
This beautiful duck breeds on the Arctic coasts and barren lands of our north and here it is for a few weeks stay. The male is boldly patterned in black and white while it is here in these winter months. The male has very long slender tail fathers. Females don’t and are duller in colour.
As we watch them fly we note both sexes have all dark unpatterned wings tail feathers.
Audubon tells us that they are great swimmers and dive to great depths like a loon.
I want to learn more about these unique ducks. Maybe I need an accurate wood carving.