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Description:
Roseate spoonbills are tall wading
birds that grow to approximately 32 inches in height, with a wingspan of 53
inches. Body color and the shape of the bill are distinguishing
characteristics. In adults, the head is bare of feathers and grey to
greenish in color. The neck, breast and upper back are white; the wings
and lower
back are a distinctive bright pink. The legs and the shoulder area of mature
birds are red, while the tail is orange.
The bill is long and flat, with a spoon-shaped tip.
Habitat:
Roseate spoonbills are common in
mangrove areas, salt marshes and other estuarine habitats. The share
habitat with other species of wading birds such as ibises and egrets, and,
in the Indian River Lagoon, are most common in the estuaries surrounding the
Cape Canaveral area.
Similar Species:
From a distance, the roseate
spoonbill can be confused with the greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber) due to the
similarity of body color in both species. However, flamingoes are not commonly
observed in the Indian River Lagoon, and are considerably larger than
spoonbills, with longer necks and a shorter bills.
Range:
Roseate spoonbills occur from southeastern Georgia, Florida and Cuba,
through the Gulf of Mexico, as far south as Argentina.
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Roseate spoonbill in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. Photo courtesy of NASA. |
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Group of roseate spoonbills taking flight. Photo courtesy of NASA.
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The distinctive bill of a roseate spoonbill is an important feeding
adaptation. However, hatchlings are born with bills shaped
differently from those found in adult birds. Young
chicks have short, soft bills that are somewhat leathery. The bill tip
begins to widen at 9 days of age, and by 16 days, it takes on the shape of
the adult bill, and continues to lengthen as the chick ages.
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