Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Roseate Spoonbill

Roseate Spoonbill
 The roseate spoonbill is one of six species of spoonbills found around the world. They are all a part of the Threskkiornithidae family which also includes ibises. According to DNA studies the roseate spoonbill, which is the only spoonbill in the Americas is most closely related to the yellow-billed spoonbill that is found in southeast Australia. It is believed that these two species evolved from a common offshoot of the ancestors of the other four species.
Roseate Spoonbill
The roseate spoonbill is found primarily in tropical regions of South America and the Caribbean. There are also small numbers of this species that breed in North America. The North America birds breed along the Gulf Coast in southern Texas, Florida, and Louisiana. They seem to prefer fresh water habitats but are also found in coastal saltwater areas. They swing their odd shaped beak from side to side to sift through the water and silt on the bottom and forage for crustaceans, aquatic insects, frogs, and small fish. Their food provides the carotenoid pigments which give the birds their pinkish coloration.


16 comments:

Rohrerbot said...

I'm hoping to spot this one here in the US. They are such beautiful birds. Every once and awhile, one comes through Arizona. Although, I think we have to wait now until summer. Beautiful bird!

Findlay Wilde said...

What a brilliant bird. From Findlay

Roger Owen Green said...

What an interesting creature!
ROG, ABC Wednesday team

Faythe said...

What pretty bird, love his color!
Faythe @ GrammyMouseTails

Neil said...

Beautiful looking spoonbill.

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

Hi. This is a beautiful bird.

Amanda said...

beautiful! it's interesting that the eye is so red too. Our yellow-billed has white eyes.

Joy said...

I love the two views of the beak. The first photo makes it look quite a character.
Joy - ABC Team

Jocee said...

Great looking bird with an interesting background.

Karen said...

This bird is on my life list, of course I will have to go find it. None up here in my part of the world. Great shots!

Carole M. said...

I marvel whenever I see these glorious roseates

Dave said...

A stunning species beautifully captured in this post. I was lucky enough to see them in Venezuela. Great post.

Leslie: said...

What an interesting looking beak! And I love its colours!

Leslie
abcw team

Margaret Birding For Pleasure said...

hi. What a beautiful bird on this post. great shots.

Anonymous said...

beautiful shot. never seen glorious roseates earlier

Unknown said...

What a pretty bird, love his color.
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