Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia)

Appearance:

Largely unmistakable, but might be mistaken for an egret when at a distance. Differs from these in bill-shape and in neck held straight (not retracted) in flight. Plumage white with yellowish half collar and neck tuft in breeding season. Bill and legs dark. Immature birds with black tips to primaries and pinkish bill. Characteristic feeding behaviour with sweeping bill-motions from side to side. Wing-beats slower than Glossy Ibis, and flocks generally fly in single file.

Sound:

Mostly silent, and of little use for identification. Soft utterances can be heard when feeding, and when interacting at nest.

Distribution:

Xeno-canto: map

Ecology:

Birdlife ecology

Links:

Observation.org Latest observations

Video IBC

Image search Flickr NB! May give other species

Sound search at Xeno-canto

CC

CC-photo:Agustín Povedano, Licence,Link.

Facts:
Length (cm):
80-90
Wingspan (cm):
115-130
Weight (gram):
1130-1960
Size group:
Bigger than a crow
Similar species (image):
Similar species (sound):
Silhouette Group:
Heron-like
Silhouette
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Several different images of the species
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Several different sounds of the species