Roseate Spoonbill

Copyright monacoeye • Pantanal, Aug 2011 • Do not copy without permission

Bird name: Roseate Spoonbill
Latin: Platalea ajaja
Other: Colhereiro-americano (Br) • Espátula rosada (Es)
Family: Threskiornithidae • Spoonbills
Range: Texas to Argentina, incl Brazil
Similar: none

The Roseate Spoonbill is unmistakable from its bill shape and pink colour.

The Roseate Spoonbill is seen in much of Brazil. The approach road to Curicaca Lodge in the Pantanal was good place to see them in August.

The top photo was taken as one flew below a tree I was standing in - quite an unusual angle for a flight shot, and you can see the intense pink markings on its wings and tail.

The juvenile further below has no markings around eyes and brown fringes to flight feathers.

Below, a Roseate Spoonbill, Brazil, Nov 2009.



Below, an immature Roseate Spoonbill, Brazil, Nov 2009.


Below, a Roseate Spoonbill beside a Wood Stork in the south of Brazil.



Below, Roseate Spoonbills perch in a tree with Wood Storks, Pantanal, Aug 2011.