Royal Spoonbill
Centenary Lakes, October 2019.
Both sexes of this bird look similar. Many of these birds look a dirty white but a nice one is really white with a black face and legs. Their eyes are red with a yellow patch above and a red spot on their forehead. This is the cleanest Spoonbill I have ever seen.
Centenary Lakes, December 2019.
They derive their name from their distinctive bill. Very hard to mistake them for another bird. Notice the yellow patch (birders call this colour buff) on the chest which we will discuss with breeding a bit later.
Tablelands Swamp, November 2020.
They use the bill to search for food as they wade through shallow water. They feed on fish, shrimp and crustaceans.
When breeding they have white head crest nuptial plumes and their breast is washed buff …which means the breast has a bit of yellow in it.
Catanna Wetlands, November 2020.
Their flight feathers are tipped black and they fly with steady wingbeats sometimes soaring.
They are usually found in shallow water either alone or pairs.
Tablelands Swamp, November 2020.
They breed from October to May in loose colonies and I often see them in the swamps in groups.
Tablelands Swamp at dawn, July 2020.
They like to nest in trees that are in water which makes a swamp ideal. They lay 4 eggs.