Roseate spoonbill facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Roseate spoonbill |
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| In the Catazajá, Chiapas | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Platalea
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| Species: |
ajaja
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| Synonyms | |
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Ajaia ajaja (Linnaeus, 1758) |
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The roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) is a beautiful pink bird. It belongs to the same family as ibises and other spoonbills. These birds love to be in groups. They are often found wading in shallow water.
Roseate spoonbills live in many places. You can find them in South America, especially east of the Andes mountains. They also live along the coasts of the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico. In the United States, they are common along the Gulf Coast. You can even see them as far north as Myrtle Beach in South Carolina.
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About the Roseate Spoonbill
The roseate spoonbill is a medium-sized bird. It is about 71 to 86 centimeters (28 to 34 inches) long. Its wings can spread out to 120 to 133 centimeters (47 to 52 inches). An adult bird usually weighs between 1.2 and 1.8 kilograms (2.6 to 4 pounds).
What Does a Roseate Spoonbill Look Like?
These birds have long legs, a long neck, and a very special bill. Their bill is shaped like a spoon! Adult birds have a bare, greenish head. When they are ready to breed, their head might look "golden buff." Their neck, back, and chest are white. They also have a tuft of pink feathers on their chest when breeding. The rest of their body is a deep pink color. Their bill is grey. Male and female spoonbills look very similar.
Why Are They Pink?
Just like American flamingos, roseate spoonbills get their pink color from their food. They eat tiny creatures that contain a special pigment called carotenoid. This pigment is found in things like shrimp. The color of the spoonbill can change. It depends on how old the bird is and if it is breeding. It also depends on where the bird lives. The colors can be anything from pale pink to bright magenta.
How Do They Fly?
Spoonbills fly differently from herons. They stretch their necks out straight when they fly. They flap their wings in short, stiff bursts. Then they glide for a bit before flapping again.
How Roseate Spoonbills Live
Roseate spoonbills often feed in groups. They like shallow fresh water or coastal areas. They walk slowly through the water. As they walk, they swing their spoon-shaped bill from side to side. This helps them easily sift through mud to find food.
What Do They Eat?
Their diet includes many small things. They eat crustaceans like shrimp and crabs. They also eat aquatic insects, frogs, newts, and very small fish. These are often foods that bigger wading birds might miss. A great place to watch them feed in the United States is the J. N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. Sometimes, spoonbills have to compete for food. They share their feeding grounds with birds like snowy egrets and American white pelicans.
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On High Island, Texas, United States
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At GaiaZoo, Netherlands
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Foraging roseate spoonbills at Merritt Island, Florida United States
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Roseate spoonbill at Sian Ka'an Biosphere Reserve, Mexico
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Reproduction and Life Cycle
Roseate spoonbills build their nests in shrubs or trees. They often choose mangrove trees. A female spoonbill usually lays two to five eggs. These eggs are whitish with brown marks.
Young Spoonbills
When young spoonbills are born, their heads are white and covered in feathers. Their pink color is much paler than adult birds. Their bill is yellowish or pinkish. As they grow older, their feathers become brighter pink. Their heads also lose feathers and become greenish.
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Adult with two juveniles on a nest
Conservation and Threats
Scientists don't know much about what hunts adult roseate spoonbills. However, their young chicks are sometimes in danger. Predators like turkey vultures, bald eagles, raccoons, and fire ants can sometimes attack nests.
In 2006, a special discovery was made. A roseate spoonbill that had been banded (given a small leg band for tracking) was found. This bird was 16 years old! This made it the oldest known wild roseate spoonbill ever recorded.
See also
In Spanish: Espátula rosada para niños
