Royal Spoonbill

The royal spoonbill, known scientifically as Platalea regia and colloquially as the black-billed spoonbill, is a striking large, white bird distinguished by its unique black, spoon-shaped bill. It stands approximately 80 cm tall and weighs between 1.4 and 2.07 kg. This wading bird is equipped with long legs, perfect for traversing through water in search of its aquatic prey.

Identification Tips

To identify the royal spoonbill, look for its pure white plumage and the characteristic black bill that widens into a spoon shape at the tip. During the breeding season, you may observe long white plumes extending from the back of their heads and vibrant patches of color on their faces.

Habitat

The royal spoonbill is found in a variety of wetland habitats, including intertidal flats and shallows of both fresh and saltwater environments.

Distribution

This species has a broad range across Australia, New Zealand, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands. It has also been noted as a vagrant in New Caledonia.

Behaviour

The royal spoonbill is known for its distinctive feeding technique, sweeping its bill from side to side in shallow waters to catch prey. It is also observed to fly with its head extended. The species is sensitive to disturbances, especially during the breeding season, and may abandon nests if perturbed.

Breeding

In the breeding season, the royal spoonbill sports elongated white plumes on the back of its head and develops colorful facial patches. Nests are constructed as open platforms of sticks in trees, where the female lays two to three eggs. The incubation period lasts about 21 days, and the colonies are known to be highly sensitive to disturbances.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the royal spoonbill consists of crustaceans, fish, small insects, and occasionally plant material. It employs a side-to-side sweeping motion with its bill to detect and capture prey in shallow waters. The bill's broad end functions like tongs, adept at sensing and grasping small animals stirred up from the waterbed.

Conservation status

The royal spoonbill is currently listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, indicating a stable population across its widespread range.