Bird’s ID – Roseate Spoonbill | H.J. Ruiz

Bird’s ID – Roseate Spoonbill

Roseate Spoonbill

The Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) – sometimes placed in its own genus Ajaja – is a gregarious wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family, Threskiornithidae. It is a resident breeder in South America mostly east of the Andes, and in coastal regions of the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, the Gulf Coast of the United States, and from central Florida’s Atlantic coast.

he 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). The tarsus measures 9.7–12.4 cm (3.8–4.9 in), the culmen measures 14.5–18 cm (5.7–7.1 in) and the wing measures 32.3–37.5 cm (12.7–14.8 in) and thus the legs, bill, neck and spatulate bill all appear elongated. Adults have a bare greenish head (“golden buff” when breeding) and a white neck, back and breast (with a tuft of pink feathers in the center when breeding), and are otherwise a deep pink. The bill is grey. There is no significant sexual dimorphism.

The roseate spoonbill nests in shrubs or trees, often mangroves, laying two to five eggs, which are whitish with brown markings. Immature birds have white, feathered heads, and the pink of the plumage is paler. The bill is yellowish or pinkish.

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Tags: Bird's ID, birding, birds, Interesting information, photography, photos of birds, Roseate Spoonbill

20 thoughts on “Bird’s ID – Roseate Spoonbill”

sv-anui.com on May 10, 2019 at 8:20 am said:

These are particularly striking, HJ!

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- H.J. for avian101 on May 10, 2019 at 9:21 pm said:
  
  Yes! They are! Thanks, Chris. 🙂
  
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Jet Eliot on May 10, 2019 at 8:24 am said:

One of my favorite birds with its garish colors and clown-like bill. Wonderful photos and information, HJ, thank you.

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- H.J. for avian101 on May 10, 2019 at 9:23 pm said:
  
  They are amazingly beautiful! Thanks my friend. 🙂
  
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Ted Jennings - TPJ Photography on May 10, 2019 at 10:03 am said:

Love these guys. We are lucky they have extended their range to the South Carolina Lowcountry marshes. Always a treat to watch.

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- H.J. for avian101 on May 10, 2019 at 9:29 pm said:
  
  I usually find them in Florida, always fun to photograph too. 🙂
  
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susanpoozan on May 10, 2019 at 12:09 pm said:

Beautiful.

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- H.J. for avian101 on May 10, 2019 at 9:32 pm said:
  
  Yes! Thank you, Susan. 🙂
  
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silviadeangelis40d on May 10, 2019 at 2:19 pm said:

Un particolare becco per questo importante volatile
Buona serata e un saluto,silvia

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- H.J. for avian101 on May 10, 2019 at 9:47 pm said:
  
  Il becco ha la forma di un cucchiaio! Grazie mille. 🙂
  
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bayphotosbydonna on May 10, 2019 at 7:57 pm said:

Such an elegant bird! Beautifully captured, HJ! 🙂

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- H.J. for avian101 on May 10, 2019 at 9:52 pm said:
  
  Thank you very much, Donna. 🙂
  
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de Wets Wild on May 10, 2019 at 11:17 pm said:

Beautiful plumage, but such a sad-looking face!

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- H.J. for avian101 on May 11, 2019 at 6:04 pm said:
  
  Thank you, D. 🙂
  
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Indira on May 11, 2019 at 12:56 am said:

Excellent!! Our spoonbills are different!

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- H.J. for avian101 on May 11, 2019 at 6:06 pm said:
  
  Thanks, Indira, how different? Color? 🙂
  
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Clare Pooley on May 11, 2019 at 9:10 pm said:

Such an interesting-looking bird! I love the spash of colour!

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- H.J. for avian101 on May 11, 2019 at 9:59 pm said:
  
  Thank you, Clare. 🙂
  
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  - Clare Pooley on May 12, 2019 at 4:30 pm said:
    
    🙂
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