De. 19, 2021 - Roseate Spoonbills

We are back from our trip to Sanibel Island, Florida. I drove through Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge many times while we were there. The most popular birds to see along the wildlife drive are the Roseate Spoonbills. This photo was taken in the afternoon as the “spoonies” were gathering at their nightly roost area.

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The feathers of young Spoonbills are pink, but they are very pale. This bird was probably hatched this spring.

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When they are three years old, they acquire adult plumage like this bird. The pink color deepens, a patch of red feathers appears on the wing, the head becomes bald, the eye turns red, and a dark band circles the neck just below the head.

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This photo shows how the bird got the name spoonbill. This is surely one of the more unusual bill shapes in the avian world.

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This is how a Spoonbill feeds. It sweeps its partially open bill back and forth through the water until it contacts a food item (small fish, crab, etc.). The bill instantly clamps shut and the bird has its meal.

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It looks awkward, but that huge bill even works for preening and keeping the feathers in good shape.

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Of course, a foot helps out in places that can’t be reached by the bill.

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I always like getting photos of a bird in flight. In this photo, you get a good look at the patch of red feathers on the Spoonbill’s wing. Also note the red feathers on the tail. These feathers are covered up when the bird is standing.

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This Spoonbill is just landing on the exposed sand bar.

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Landing gear down; ready for ground contact!

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There’s nothing prettier than a colorful Spoonbill among the Mangroves with a beautiful reflection.

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