Roseate Spoonbill

Roseate Spoonbill, adult

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Roseate Spoonbill, juvenile

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1. Description
2. Sound
3. Other Names
4. Full detailed species account

A bizarre wading bird of the southern coasts, the Roseate Spoonbill uses its odd bill to strain small food items out of the water. Its bright pink coloring leads many Florida tourists to think they have seen a flamingo.

Description

• Pink.
• Long, flat, spoon-shaped bill.
• Bald head.
• Moderately long reddish legs.

• Size: 71-86 cm (28-34 in)
• Wingspan: 120-130 cm (47-51 in)
• Weight: 1200-1800 g (42.36-63.54 ounces)

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike.

Sound

Low grunting.

Other Names

Spatule rosée (French)
Espátula rosada (Spanish)

Sources used to construct this page:

Dumas, J. V. 2000. Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja). In The Birds of North America, No. 490 (A. Poole and F. Gill, eds.). The Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA.