Roseate Spoonbill
Platalea ajaja
There are six known species of spoonbill, but only the Roseate Spoonbill is found in the New World. Other species are native to Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia. DNA analysis in 2010 showed enough genetic variation to justify two genera (Platibis and Ajaia), but because they were morphologically so similar, it made sense to keep them in the single genera Platibis or Platalea.
The specially adapted bill of these birds allows them to feed on prey that other waders miss. By swinging their bills in a side-to-side motion, they can filter invertebrates and other small items from the mud and shallow water, and like flamingos, they get their pink color from the carotenoids in the food they eat.
The Roseate Spoonbill breeds across much of the interior wetlands of South America, but in North America we rarely find them far from the coast of the Gulf of Mexico, or the west coast of mainland Mexico. However, in the early fall of 2020 I met this species in Arizona. The bird seems to have blown in from Sinaloa Mexico or Texas with a powerful storm during the previous summer and stayed to entertain the local birding community.
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
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Description: These immature spoonbills approached briefly close enough for decent images. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:15 14:37 |
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Location:
Aransas NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/2000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D500362-Aransas-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: These immature spoonbills approached briefly close enough for decent images. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:15 14:38 |
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Location:
Aransas NWR |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/2500 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D500473-Aransas-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: These immature spoonbills approached briefly close enough for decent images. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:15 14:39 |
|
Location:
Aransas NWR |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/1600 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D500524-Aransas-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: These immature spoonbills approached briefly close enough for decent images. I drove to Aransas NWR late Saturday, but my first serious explorations were on Sunday, when I fell in love with Heron Flats, though my explorations carried me all the way to the "Big Tree" tower. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:15 14:40 |
|
Location:
Aransas NWR |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/7.1, 1/1600 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D500548-Aransas-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
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Description: I drove to Port Isabel from Brownsville on an errand and found birds like this mixed flock of spoonbills and egrets on the roadside. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:06 11:06 |
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Location:
Highway-48 |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill-MixedFlock_D501942-PortIsabel-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: I didn’t meet any breeding Roseate Spoonbills on my 2020 Texas expedition. Juvenile and non-breeders seemed to be all I found. The Convention Center on South Padre Island, Texas is a first rate birding destination. I spent several hours in the morning and several more in the afternoon on this day. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:30 16:35 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/2500 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D501335-South-Padre |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: I didn’t meet any breeding Roseate Spoonbills on my 2020 Texas expedition. Juvenile and non-breeders seemed to be all I found. The Convention Center on South Padre Island, Texas is a first rate birding destination. I spent several hours in the morning and several more in the afternoon on this day. |
Date Taken: 2020:04:30 16:38 |
|
Location:
Convention Center |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/7.1, 1/4000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D501361-South-Padre |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: This lonesome lost spoonbill found its way to Arizona and has delighted birders here all summer. It was a lovely day at the Gilbert Water Ranch. The weather was mild, and the winds were calm. Gilbert is in the Greater Phoenix area of Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2020:11:11 14:30 |
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Location:
Gilbert Water Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X9621-GilbertWaterRanch |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: This lonesome lost spoonbill found its way to Arizona and has delighted birders here all summer. It was a lovely day at the Gilbert Water Ranch. The weather was mild, and the winds were calm. Gilbert is in the Greater Phoenix area of Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2020:11:11 14:19 |
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Location:
Gilbert Water Ranch |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X9560-GilbertWaterRanch |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: This lonesome lost spoonbill found its way to Arizona and has delighted birders here all summer. It was a lovely day at the Gilbert Water Ranch. The weather was mild, and the winds were calm. Gilbert is in the Greater Phoenix area of Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2020:11:11 14:18 |
|
Location:
Gilbert Water Ranch |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X9536-GilbertWaterRanch |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: This lonesome lost spoonbill found its way to Arizona and has delighted birders here all summer. It was a lovely day at the Gilbert Water Ranch. The weather was mild, and the winds were calm. Gilbert is in the Greater Phoenix area of Arizona. |
Date Taken: 2020:11:11 13:27 |
|
Location:
Gilbert Water Ranch |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X9285-GilbertWaterRanch |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: Spoonbills provide a splash of bright color to the birds frequenting the mangrove-lined laguna shallows. There are wetlands that the South Padre Island Convention Centre (free access) and the Birding & Nature Center (admission fee required) share. My previous visits to the wetlands had been to the Convention Centre. On this day I would find out why folks pay money to see the marsh, when there is free access next door. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:08 9:51 |
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Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X0249SouthPadre-WBC |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: Sometimes you get lucky and find spoonbills foraging in the wetlands of Bahia Grande. For my final winter expedition from my Brownsville camp, I chose South Padre Island. The drive to the island crosses Bahia Grande, where I stopped to look for waders, gulls and shorebirds. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:11 8:54 |
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Location:
Bahia Grande |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X1628-BahiaGrande |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: Before I arrived at the park, I spotted spoonbills in a drainage ditch and stopped to investigate. I returned to Bentsen Rio Grande Valley State Park Friday, three days after my first brief visit last Tuesday, when cold weather had a firm grip on most live forms. With my repaired bicycle under me, I explored all the paths the park would allow and spent a lovely day capturing wildlife images. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:19 9:52 |
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Location:
Sno-Bird Estates Colonia |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X2891-Bentsen-Road |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: Sometimes you get lucky and find spoonbills foraging in the wetlands of Bahia Grande. For my final winter expedition from my Brownsville camp, I chose South Padre Island. The drive to the island crosses Bahia Grande, where I stopped to look for waders, gulls and shorebirds. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:11 8:54 |
|
Location:
Bahia Grande |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X1639-BahiaGrande |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: Capturing spoonbills in flight was my mission while visiting the rookery. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:06 16:29 |
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Location:
Smith Oaks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X9578-HighIsland_SmithOaks |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: Essential to nest building is gathering sticks for construction. Capturing spoonbills in flight was my mission while visiting the rookery. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:06 17:28 |
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Location:
Smith Oaks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X0199-HighIsland_SmithOaks |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: Capturing spoonbills in flight was my mission while visiting the rookery. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:06 17:19 |
|
Location:
Smith Oaks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X0084-HighIsland_SmithOaks |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: Capturing spoonbills in flight was my mission while visiting the rookery. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:06 8:36 |
|
Location:
Smith Oaks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X8493-HighIsland_SmithOaks |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: Capturing spoonbills in flight was my mission while visiting the rookery. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:06 17:19 |
|
Location:
Smith Oaks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X0078-HighIsland_SmithOaks |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: Capturing spoonbills in flight was my mission while visiting the rookery. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:06 16:40 |
|
Location:
Smith Oaks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X9707-HighIsland_SmithOaks |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: Everyone loves spoonbills. Tuesday's all day visit to capture images at the SPI Convention Centre was fruitful. The folks I met were great, and the birds were amazing. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:30 16:16 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X8850-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: Capturing spoonbills in flight was my mission while visiting the rookery. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:06 9:39 |
|
Location:
Smith Oaks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X9233-HighIsland_SmithOaks |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: Capturing spoonbills in flight was my mission while visiting the rookery. I camped on High Island (Texas) a half mile from the Smith Oaks Sanctuary, where among its 177 acres is a large pond hosting a rookery for egrets, spoonbills and cormorants. I spent my Saturday morning there and returned for another visit in the afternoon. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:06 17:36 |
|
Location:
Smith Oaks |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X0373-HighIsland_SmithOaks |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: Close encounters with spoonbills on the marsh. With a momentary lull in warbler migration on South Padre Island, I paid my admission to the Birds and Nature Center to attempt catching subjects that don’t make many appearances at the Convention Centre. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:08 15:09 |
|
Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X2972-SPI_BirdNatureCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: I enjoyed the enthusiasm of this Roseate Spoonbill’s bathing technique. With a momentary lull in warbler migration on South Padre Island, I paid my admission to the Birds and Nature Center to attempt catching subjects that don’t make many appearances at the Convention Centre. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:08 15:05 |
|
Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X2877-SPI_BirdNatureCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: I enjoyed the enthusiasm of this Roseate Spoonbill’s bathing technique. With a momentary lull in warbler migration on South Padre Island, I paid my admission to the Birds and Nature Center to attempt catching subjects that don’t make many appearances at the Convention Centre. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:08 15:05 |
|
Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X2860-SPI_BirdNatureCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Roseate Spoonbill(Platalea ajaja) |
|
Description: I enjoyed the enthusiasm of this Roseate Spoonbill’s bathing technique. With a momentary lull in warbler migration on South Padre Island, I paid my admission to the Birds and Nature Center to attempt catching subjects that don’t make many appearances at the Convention Centre. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:08 15:07 |
|
Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
|
Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: RoseateSpoonbill_D5X2912-SPI_BirdNatureCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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