Error message
Unable to fetch location details at this time.
Roseate Spoonbill
Platalea ajaja
27.9899, -81.8688
Field Notes
Description:
The Roseate Spoonbill is 71–86 cm (28–34 in) long, with a 120–133 cm (47–52 in) wingspan and a body mass of 1.2–1.8 kg (2.6–4.0 lb). It's head is bare, usually greenish, but has a buffy tinge during breeding season. It has a white neck, chest and back, with pale to rosy pink wings. It swings it's long,grey, signature "spoon-shaped" bill back and forth to "feel" food in the water as it wades through marshes, swamps and ponds. When it feels the prey it snaps it's beak shut.
Habitat:
The Roseate Spoonbill can be seen in both fresh and saltwater wetlands in the Gulf Coast of the US (Florida, Louisiana, Texas), and parts of South and Central American and the Caribbean. They may be found in small flocks, but I have observed many individuals and pairs among flocks of other wading birds.
Notes:
Because it is somewhat large, and very pink, many people think they are seeing a flamingo when they spot a Roseate, though up close they are very different.
Comments (11)