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Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia

 
 

InEurasian Spoonbill   CaBecplaner   DaSkestork   DeLöffler   EsEspátula común   Fikapustahaikara   FrSpatule blanche   ItSpatola   NlLepelaar   NoSkjestork   PtColhereiro   SvSkedstork   USEurasian Spoonbill   RuКолпица

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adult summer

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adult summer flying
European distribution
European distribution
feeding
feeding
  

Identification

Spoonbills are mostly white like an egret but with bigger fatter bodies and, of course, those flattened, spoon-shaped bills. Feeding birds swing their heads, sweeping their bills from side to side through the water. Juveniles have paler bills and black wing tips but it is unusual to find birds like these with so much grey in their plumage. In flight the neck and legs are out-stretched but held below the level of the body.

Habitat

Breeds in reedbeds or waterside trees beside shallow lakes, marshes and fishponds. Winters on marshes and estuaries.

Behaviour

As the wide bill swoops through the water, it automatically snaps shut whenever it comes in contact with a food item which is then swallowed.

Migration

Birds from north-west and south-west Europe winter mainly in Western Africa. Those from south-east Europe winter in the Mediterranean and north Africa. Eastern European and Turkish birds appear to move to north-east Africa, the Middle East and India.

This information is taken from the BirdFile on the appropriate BirdGuides DVD-ROM. As well as video and sounds, our CD- and DVD-ROMs contain additional text on Voice, Sexing, Ageing, Food, Nests and Eggs and more.

show section BirdGuides rarity status: Scarce

hide section Most recent UK and Irish reports of Spoonbill

  13:47 09/02/10 Spoonbill Cheshire Parkgate Marsh/Gayton Sands RSPB   
  11:47 09/02/10 Spoonbill Cork Courtmacsherry   
  17:17 08/02/10 Spoonbill Carmarthen National Wetlands Centre 11:00 
  14:52 08/02/10 Spoonbill Devon Isley Marsh RSPB   
  18:57 07/02/10 Spoonbill Cheshire Little Neston   
  16:11 07/02/10 Spoonbill Carmarthen National Wetlands Centre   
  15:52 07/02/10 Spoonbill Cork Timoleague   
  12:27 07/02/10 Spoonbill Cork White's Marsh 09:08 
  12:21 07/02/10 Spoonbill Devon Isley Marsh RSPB 11:15 
  21:59 06/02/10 Spoonbill Cork Inchydoney Bay   

hide section Most recent photos of Spoonbill (10)

hide section Key UK sites for Spoonbill (3)

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show section European breeding populations (26)

show section Products featuring Spoonbill (13)

hide section External Links (1)

http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob1440.htm http://blx1.bto.org/birdfacts/results/bob1440.htm   BTO BirdFacts: SpoonbillEdit this link Edit this link
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hide section Articles (1)

Breeding Spoonbills in Dumfries and Galloway Breeding Spoonbills in Dumfries and Galloway Breeding Spoonbills in Dumfries and GallowayMonday 1st September 2008
Hot on the heels of this spring's breeding Cattle Egrets, this much-underwatched county produces a remarkable clutch of Spoonbills.  read on read on

BirdGuides webzine BirdGuides webzine

hide section Reader comments (2)

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I spotted a Spoonbill feeding along the Barnstaple side of the River Taw at approx 17.30. Not having a camera on me I was unable to take a photo but due to it's unmistakeable bill it was obviously a spoonbill.
   Alan Johnson, today 14:14Edit post Edit post Report inappropriate post Inappropriate
Hi Alan - sightings are best sent to our bird news team via www.birdguides.com/submit, or see www.birdguides.com/bne/FAQ.asp#submit.
   Dave Dunford (admin), today 15:45Edit post Edit post Report inappropriate post Inappropriate
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