Platalea ajaja
Roseate spoonbill
The roseate spoonbill is Coastal Georgia’s own flamingo. With its striking pink plumage, distinctive spoon-shaped bill, and graceful demeanor, this elegant bird stands out. Found in coastal marshes, swamps, and other shallow-water environments, they are considered medium-sized wading birds, standing about 2.5 to 3 feet tall with a wingspan of up to 4.5 feet.

The roseate spoonbill is a master of subtlety when it comes to its behavior and feeding habits. Somewhat like a pelican, it uses its bill as a specialized tool, and slowly wades through shallow waters. It sweeps its bill from side to side to sift through mud and silt in search of small fish, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates. This technique, known as “tactile foraging,” allows the spoonbill to thrive in its habitat, even in areas with murky or tidal waters. Like the flamingo, they get their pink color from the carotenoid pigments in their diet, primarily from crustaceans.

These birds are social creatures, often found in flocks with other wading birds like herons and egrets. They tend to nest in colonies with other birds as well. Their nests can be up to 16 feet high in trees in marshy areas. They lay between 1 to 5 eggs which will hatch in less than a month. The baby birds are white and won’t get their pink color until they start eating wild crustaceans.

By feeding on various aquatic organisms, spoonbills control the populations of various species, which balance the overall health of the ecosystem. Their foraging activities also contribute to the aeration of the water and sediment, promoting nutrient cycling and supporting plant growth.