In Canada, the core breeding range of the Northern Shoveler is the Prairie Pothole and Parkland Region of Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba. The continental population has seen a significant increase since the 1990s, following a period of drought in the Prairies in the 1980s. Despite an increase in this species’ population size, the Canadian harvest of this species has remained relatively stable. This species has been identified as a priority for conservation and/or stewardship in one or more Bird Conservation Region Strategies in Canada.
The Northern Shoveler population appears to be in good health. Primary conservation concerns, as for other duck species, are habitat loss and degradation. The majority of the Canadian harvest of Northern Shoveler occurs in Saskatchewan; however, most Shovelers are harvested in the United States. Despite a steady population increase, the Canadian harvest of the Northern Shoveler has been relatively stable.
Environment and Climate Change Canada and partners have developed Bird Conservation Region Strategies in each of Canada’s Bird Conservation Regions (BCRs). In these strategies, selected species are identified as priorities for one or more of the following reasons:
Select any of the sub-regions below to view the BCR strategy for additional details.