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Northern Shoveler vs Painted Stork

Spatula clypeata versus Mycteria leucocephala

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Play a quiz with Northern Shoveler and Painted Stork

Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) Northern Shoveler
Painted Stork (Mycteria leucocephala) Painted Stork

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In short

The most reliable field mark to differentiate a Northern Shoveler from a Painted Stork is the bill shape: the Northern Shoveler has a distinctive, broad, spatula-shaped bill, while the Painted Stork has a long, slightly curved bill. These species are not closely related, making their structural differences more pronounced.

Identification tips

Size

The Painted Stork is significantly larger than the Northern Shoveler.

Plumage

The Northern Shoveler has a more uniform plumage with a green head in males, while the Painted Stork has a striking pink and white plumage with black flight feathers.

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The most reliable field mark to differentiate a Northern Shoveler from a Painted Stork is the bill shape: the Northern Shoveler has a distinctive, broad, spatula-shaped bill, while the Painted Stork has a long, slightly curved bill. These species are not closely related, making their structural differences more pronounced.

  • Bill Shape: Northern Shoveler has a broad, spatula-shaped bill; Painted Stork has a long, slightly curved bill.
  • Size: Painted Stork is much larger than Northern Shoveler.
  • Plumage: Look for the green head in male Northern Shovelers and the pink and white plumage of Painted Storks.

The Painted Stork is significantly larger than the Northern Shoveler.

The Northern Shoveler has a more uniform plumage with a green head in males, while the Painted Stork has a striking pink and white plumage with black flight feathers.

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Northern Shoveler · Painted Stork · My Tricky Birds