Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)

[dolina]

Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) by Paolo Dolina, on Flickr

Unique pink wading bird with long, flat, spoon-shaped bill. Adults are mostly pink overall, with scarlet wing patches, orange tail, and bare pale-green head. Immatures are duller than adults but still washed with pale pink. Sometimes mistaken for a flamingo, but note spoonbill's distinctive bill, shorter legs, and shorter neck. Occurs in freshwater and saltwater wetlands from the Gulf Coast of the U.S. through much of South America. Feeds by sifting side-to-side through shallow water. Often in small loose groups, sometimes with other wading birds like storks and herons.

Source: https://ebird.org/species/rosspo1?siteLanguage=en_PH

Location: Smith Oaks Rookery | High Island Sanctuaries | Houston Audubon

 

[jeffashman]

Very nice! I haven't seen the ones with green heads before.

 

[dolina]

Very nice! I haven't seen the ones with green heads before.

Jeff,

Thank you!

I urge you to visit Smith Oaks soon! It's a wonderful place! Just wish I was more confident flying in over 10lbs carry on over the pacific!

 

[Warfarin]

Interesting birds