Big Pink Bird with Large Bill - What is it?

Once a year, for about a week, tourists and locals line the highway beside a pond near my Florida home. Why have they stopped? Because they've seen a group of large pink birds with very long bills. Catagorized by some as the "world's weird birds," they are an amazing sight to see! I've even stopped by that tidal pond myself on one occasion. What are these huge pink birds? They are Roseate Spoonbills (Ajaja ajaja) and they are beautiful.

Sibley's Guide calls them "uncommon in muddy ponds" and I have to agree. Even though we live here and have seen the Roseate Spoonbills on many many occasions we are always quick to point and shout "Roseate Spoonbill over there!"

They are lesser known than the flamingos, but I think many people think they are seeing Flamingos at first glance because of their pink color. I remember the first time I saw one in flight, it was in Jacksonville, Florida at a salt marsh. I was familiar with this bird and had studied it in my Sibley's field guide but had never seen one. In my excitement and haste I called out "It's a Spoonbill Roseate!" My daughter laughed because I had changed the words around. In any event, it was a marked day for me. This was a new bird.

Wingspan: 50 inches

Length (Height): 32 inches

Larger than the ibises and a little smaller than the Woodstork.

Food: Fish and Invertibrates
As you'll see in the video below, the Roseate Spoonbill swings its head and large bill rhythmically from side to side sifting out small water creatures. They forage in shallow water in marshes and open mudflats.

Color: Light to Dark Pink

Eye color: Pinkish in Adult

First and second year juveniles are light or pale pink and adults are bright pink.

Spoonbills fly with their necks extended forward, unlike the herons and egrets who fly with their necks tucked into their shoulders in an "S" shape.