Roseate Spoonbill

photo by Phil Swanson

Ajaia ajaja
L 32″ (81 cm) W 50″ (127 cm).

Song or calls:
No information.

Description: Sexes similar. Adult has pink body with red highlights; long, spatulate bill; unfeathered greenish head. Immature similar to adult, but lacks red highlights and may have white feathers on head.

Habitat: Shallow waters.

Where in Nebraska: Rare casual visitor in south-central and southeast Nebraska. Fairly common along Gulf coast. In Nebraska, look for the Roseate Soonbill in groups of other herons feeding in shallow water.

Fun Facts: Roseate Spoonbill get their pink color from the food they consume, small crustaceans that have fed on algae. Often grunts when hunting for food.

Roseate Spoonbill - photo by Phil Swanson Roseate Spoonbill - photo by Phil Swanson
(click image for larger view)