PHOTO: Northern Shovelers flock to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge

March 24, 2022 OBX Today Comments Off on PHOTO: Northern Shovelers flock to Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge
The northern shoveler (Spatula clypeata) uses its spoon-shaped bill, which is edged with fine projections called lamellae, to strain seeds, small crustaceans, algae, plankton and tiny invertebrates from water. The pictured northern shovelers were recently seen in the flooded fields of Alligator River Refuge. [Photo by Beverly Meekins]

The Northern Shovelers, one of the Alligator River Refuge’s increasingly regular winter residents, were recently spotted in the flooded fields of the National Wildlife Refuge (See photo).

The Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) species of wild duck uses its spoon-shaped bill, which is edged with fine projections called lamellae, to strain seeds, small crustaceans, algae, plankton and tiny invertebrates from water.