Spoonbill Bird Information
Spoonbill bird is a large white, heron-like bird with a large spatulate bill. Plumage all white with droopy crest and yellow wash at the base of the neck in breeding plumage; crest and neck wash lost in winter. Bill black with yellow tip; bare yellow patch on throat; long legs black. Spoonbill bird flies with neck extended rather than tucked back like heron. The bird feeds with side-to-side scything action of the bill in shallow water. Juvenile spoonbill birds show black wingtips.
Status: Spoonbill bird is a scarce visitor, mostly in spring and autumn to the south and east coasts. Breeds Netherlands.
Similar Species: Rare little and Great White Egrets are only other all-white heron-like birds. Spoonbill bird can be picked-out at a considerable distance by creamy white (not pure white) plumage.
Spoonbill Bird Facts
Type | heron-like |
Size | 78-80 cm (27-31 in) |
Habitat | freshwater marshes, estuaries |
Behavior | wades, walks, takes off and lands on water or ground |
Flocking | 1 or 2 |
Flight | glides, soars; strong, powerful and direct |
Voice | silent |
Bird Identification
Ad.summer | |
Crown | White; crest |
Upperparts | white |
Rump | white |
Tail | white; short and square |
Throat | yellow |
Breast | yellow |
Belly | black, tipped yellow; large and spatulate |
Legs | black; very long |
Ad.winter | no crest or neck wash |
Juvenile | as winter but black wingtips and pink bill |
Nesting & Breeding
Nest | a platform of reeds and twigs in tree or bush |
Eggs | 4; spotted reddish |
Incubation | 21 days |
Young | helpless; downy |
Fledging | 7 weeks |
Broods | 1; April-May |
Food | Insects, crustaceans, molluscs, fish |
Population | scarce passage migrant |
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