Home › Aves › Threskiornithidae › Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
SPECIES PROFILE
Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
Platalea
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Southern US to Argentina
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Marshes, lagoons and mudflats
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Pelecaniformes
FAMILY
Threskiornithidae
GENUS
Platalea
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 80 cm tall
COLORATION
Pale to deep pink with a bare greenish head and spatula bill
ADAPTATIONS
Sweeps its spoon-bill side to side to feel for prey
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Marshes, lagoons and mudflats
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Southern US to Argentina
REPRODUCTION
2-3 eggs in colonies
DIET DETAILS
Shrimp, small fish and insects
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Wetland loss
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Its pink colour comes from pigments in the shrimp and crustaceans it eats.
2
The unique spoon-shaped bill lets it feed by touch in murky water.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Pantanal
Transpantaneira Road
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
June-October
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Scan shallow lagoons and drying pools; flocks sweep their spoon-shaped bills through the water.
