Male and female Northern Shovelers are distinct in their plumage. Male Northern Shovelers have a vibrant green head, a white breast, and rusty-red sides, with a distinctive large, black, spoon-shaped bill. Females, on the other hand, are mottled brown with a more muted, grayish-brown overall coloration, and a bill that is olive-green, often with black spots. Both males and females have a large, flat, spoon-like bill, which is a defining characteristic of the species.

Male:
• Head: Bright green, sometimes appearing iridescent.
• Breast: White.
• Sides: Rusty red or brown.
• Bill: Large, flat, and black.
• Wings: Blue shoulder patches (speculum) are visible in flight.

Female:
• Overall: Mottled brown with a mix of buff and darker brown shades.
• Bill: Olive green with black markings.
• Legs: Orange.
• Wings: Grayish shoulder patches.

Both males and females have a large, flat, spoon-like bill, which is used to strain food from the water. This adaptation is crucial for their feeding habits in shallow water habitats.