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.

Spoonbill bird information and facts

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

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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