Roseate Spoonbill

Roseate Spoonbill, adult

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Roseate Spoonbill, juvenile

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1. Description
2. Similar Species
3. Sound
4. Range
5. Other Names

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

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

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

Sex Differences

Sexes look alike.

Immature

Similar to adult, but paler pink to white and white, feathered head.

Similar Species

• Greater Flamingo, a very rare visitor, is deep pink, has a short, thick, bent black bill, a very long neck, and extremely long legs.

Sound

Low grunting.

Range

Range Map

© 2004 Cornell Lab of Ornithology

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Summer Range

Resident in Florida and Texas, southward through Central and South America.

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.