Roseate Spoonbill

Platalea ajaja

Overview

The Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) is a species of bird (class Aves) in the family of ibises and spoonbills (Threskiornithidae) and the order Pelecaniformes.

Description

Medium-sized waterbirds, mostly pink overall with white neck, back and breast and a long, flat spoon-shaped gray bill and a red eye. Adults have a bare greenish head that turns a golden buff when breeding. Sexes are similar.

Range

Found in South America east of the Andes and in coastal regions as far north as the Gulf of Mexico of the United States.