Pronunciation: [ʃˈʌvələ] (IPA) 
Shoveler is spelled with the letter "e" after the letter "l", even though it is not pronounced. The reason for this is because the word is derived from the word "shovel", and adding the "er" suffix creates a noun meaning "one who shovels". In IPA phonetic transcription, the word is pronounced ˈʃʌvələr. Despite the tricky spelling, shoveler is a common and important bird species found in wetlands across North America and Eurasia.
A shoveler is a noun that refers to either a type of duck or a person who uses a shovel. In the context of ornithology, a shoveler is a medium-sized, dabbling duck belonging to the genus Spatula. These ducks are classified as part of the Anatidae family and are characterized by their long, broad bills. This distinctive feature resembles a shovel, hence the name "shoveler." The male shovelers are easily identifiable by their shiny green or blue heads, white chests, and cinnamon-colored feathers on their sides. Their bills are black, long, and spatulate-shaped, designed for sifting through muddy water and scooping up small invertebrates, seeds, and aquatic plants. The females have mottled brown plumage and possess a slightly smaller bill than the males. Shovelers are primarily found in freshwater wetlands, shallow lakes, and marshes across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Alternatively, a shoveler can also describe a person who uses a shovel. This could be in the context of various activities, such as gardening, construction, or snow removal. A shoveler is someone who utilizes a shovel as a tool to dig, scoop, or move materials like soil, sand, or snow. Whether it's a professional digging trenches, a gardener cultivating the ground, or an individual shoveling snow from their driveway, the term shoveler is associated with individuals engaged in manual labor using a shovel.
The word "shoveler" is derived from the verb "shovel".
The verb "shovel" dates back to the 14th century and is derived from the Old English word "scofl" or "scofel", which had the same meaning. This word is connected to the Proto-Germanic word "skuf", meaning "shovel" or "spade".
The term "shoveler" is a noun form of the verb "shovel", used to refer to a person or a bird with a shovel-like beak or bill. In particular, "shoveler" is commonly used to describe certain species of ducks, such as the Northern Shoveler (Spatula clypeata) known for its large, broad, and flat beak, which is used to filter food from water.
