Roseate Spoonbill
Latin Name: Platalea ajaja
Species: Birds
Conservation Status: S2 - Imperiled
Roseate spoonbills are large pink wading birds. They get their name from their coloration and spoon-shaped bill. Adult roseate spoonbills have bright pink shoulders and a bare head that is yellowish-green with red eyes. Juvenile roseate spoonbills are a paler pink, and their heads are completely feathered. Their bodies are football-shaped, and they have long legs. Roseate spoonbills reach 27-33 inches tall, weigh 42-63 ounces, and have a wingspan of 47-51 inches.
Range & Habitat (map)
Roseate spoonbills are found foraging and nesting along the coastal southeastern U.S. and into South America. They spend time in fresh or saltwater, preferring shallow water with a muddy bottom.
Diet
Roseate spoonbills wade through water swinging their head from side to side to capture prey with their spoon-shaped bills. They forage in fresh, brackish, or marine water that is typically less than 5 inches deep in places such as bays, mangroves, forested swamps, and wetlands. Roseate spoonbills consume crustaceans, such as shrimp and prawns, insects, and fish. Their pink coloration comes from carotenoid pigments in foods they eat, much like flamingos.
Life History
To get a female’s attention, male roseate spoonbills bob their heads up and down while shaking twigs. Males collect sticks to build a bulky platform nest that is 22 inches wide and 4.5 inches deep. Nests are usually in a shady part of a tree or shrub along the water’s edge, up to 16 feet high. Roseate spoonbills lay 1-5 eggs and have 1 brood. Eggs are incubated for 22 days and chicks’ nesting period is 35-42 days. When the chicks hatch, their bills are not yet spoon-shaped. At 9 days, the bill begins to flatten; by 16 days, the bill looks more spoon-shaped; and at 39 days, it is almost full size.
Significance
The roseate spoonbill is the only spoonbill species found in the Americas. Their unique appearance and coloration make them an exciting species for recreational birders. It wasn’t until recently that these birds became a more common sight in South Carolina, likely caused by increased protections and climate change expanding their suitable year-round habitat.
Threats & How You Can Help
Roseate spoonbill nesting sites are usually in protected areas that are difficult to reach. Their nests are still vulnerable to human disturbances, such as boating and other recreational activities, which could lead to nest abandonment. Water management practices can make changes to foraging areas, including water salinity increases and food availability, posing a threat to roseate spoonbills. These birds are protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.