Do Northern Shovelers prefer specific types of vegetation for feeding?

Habitat Preferences

Northern Shovelers typically inhabit shallow wetlands with abundant vegetation, including aquatic plants, algae, and submerged vegetation. These areas can include marshes, ponds, and shallow lakes with dense vegetation. In particular, they prefer wetlands with 1-3 feet of water and an abundance of submerged aquatic plants like water lilies (Nymphaea spp.), cattails (Typha spp.), and coontails (Ceratophyllum demersum).

Feeding Behavior

When foraging, Northern Shovelers will often wade or swim through the water, using their shovel-shaped bill to probe the sediment for food particles. They will also feed on the surface of the water, using their bill to filter small invertebrates like crustaceans, mollusks, and insects from the water column. In areas with dense vegetation, they will also use their bill to scrape up small aquatic plants and algae from the substrate. Studies have shown that Northern Shovelers can consume up to 1/4 pound of food per day, with a diet consisting of 50-70% invertebrates and 30-50% small aquatic plants.