Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
Ibis and Spoonbill Family (Threskiornithidae)
Roseate Spoonbill is a large pink wading bird, reaching around 2.5 ft long and a 4.25 ft wingspan. Its back and neck are whitish, and tail is orange. The rump, shoulders, and a chest patch are reddish. It has a long, grayish, flattened, spoon-shaped bill; a bare, greenish to buffy head; blackish skin on back of head and upper neck; and red eyes. Juvenile is white tinged with pink and has a yellow bill and eyes and a white feathered head. Generally silent, but may make a low, guttural sounds while foraging. Flies with neck extended. Nests mostly in mangroves in mixed species colonies. Forages in shallow water by sweeping its open bill back and forth until it feels prey, like small fish and crustaceans, then it closes its bill very quickly. May forage during daylight or at night. In the US mostly found in central and south FL and the Gulf coast of TX and LA, frequently in mangrove, coastal bays, saltwater or brackish estuaries, tidal flats, swamps, marshes, wet prairies, and shallow, large lakes. Usually found in flocks. Some birds migrate between Florida and Cuba. They were hunted for their wings and feathers during the 1800’s. Also known as Pink Curlew, Pink, and Ajaia ajaja. Listed as a species of special concern in FL and LA.
Copyright Brett Miley
