Roseate Spoonbill Wings

by Ginger Stein

Title

Roseate Spoonbill Wings

Artist

Ginger Stein

Medium

Photograph - Bird Photography

Description

A climate threatened bird. Roseate spoonbills (Platalea ajaja ) are gorgeous at a distance and bizarre up close. Common in coastal Florida, Texas, and southwest Louisiana, USA, they are usually in small flocks, often associating with other waders. They were almost wiped out from the 1860s until early 20th century, being highly prized for their beautiful feathers. They are still uncommon and local due to degradation of habitat and feeding areas.

Spoonbills feed in shallow waters, walking forward slowly while they swing their heads from side to side, sifting the muck with their wide flat bills.

Breeds mainly during winter in Florida, during spring in Texas. Nests in colonies. At beginning of breeding season, entire flock may suddenly fly up, for no apparent reason, and circle the area. In courtship, male and female first interact aggressively, later perch close together, present sticks to each other, cross and clasp bills. Nest site is in mangroves, tree, shrub, usually 5-15' above ground or water, sometimes on ground. Nest (built mostly by female, with material brought by male) a bulky platform of sticks, with deep hollow in center lined with twigs, leaves.
FEATURED IN:
--Wild Birds of the World 710/19
--Birds In Focus 09/26/2020

Uploaded

July 9th, 2019

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Viewed 419 Times  -  Last Visitor from Syosset, NY on 04/25/2024 at 2:06 PM

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