Roseate Spoonbill

Roseate Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) are one of the prettiest birds in Florida. Like the American Flamingo, their pink color is diet-derived, consisting of the carotenoid pigment canthaxanthin. This species feeds in shallow fresh or coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side as it steadily walks through the water, often in groups. The spoon-shaped bill allows it to sift easily through mud. It feeds on crustaceans, aquatic insects, frogs, newts and very small fish ignored by larger waders (wikipedia). This bird was photographed preening and feeding at the Circle B Bar Reserve in Lakeland, Florida.


[facebook]

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

*