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.
These are particularly striking, HJ!
Yes! They are! Thanks, Chris. 🙂
One of my favorite birds with its garish colors and clown-like bill. Wonderful photos and information, HJ, thank you.
They are amazingly beautiful! Thanks my friend. 🙂
Love these guys. We are lucky they have extended their range to the South Carolina Lowcountry marshes. Always a treat to watch.
I usually find them in Florida, always fun to photograph too. 🙂
Beautiful.
Yes! Thank you, Susan. 🙂
Un particolare becco per questo importante volatile
Buona serata e un saluto,silvia
Il becco ha la forma di un cucchiaio! Grazie mille. 🙂
Such an elegant bird! Beautifully captured, HJ! 🙂
Thank you very much, Donna. 🙂
Beautiful plumage, but such a sad-looking face!
Thank you, D. 🙂
Excellent!! Our spoonbills are different!
Thanks, Indira, how different? Color? 🙂
Such an interesting-looking bird! I love the spash of colour!
Thank you, Clare. 🙂
🙂
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