Roseate Spoonbill
Platalea ajaja
Least Concern
A stunning pink wading bird often mistaken for a flamingo. Their spoon-shaped bill sweeps through shallow water to sift out tiny prey.
Behavior
Feeds in shallow water with distinctive side-to-side sweeping motion. Nests in mangroves and coastal islands in mixed rookeries.
⚠️ Safety
Protected species. Do not approach nesting colonies — disturbance can cause nest abandonment.
Fun Facts
- Pink color comes from carotenoid pigments in their crustacean diet
- Nearly hunted to extinction for their feathers in the early 1900s
- One of only six spoonbill species worldwide
- Young spoonbills are white and gradually turn pink
Where to See
Everglades National Park
coastal1.5 million acres of wetlands — the River of Grass. Home to alligators, manatees, crocodiles, panthe...
Ten Thousand Islands
coastalMaze of mangrove islands at the western edge of Everglades. Incredible backcountry kayaking and worl...
Tampa Bay
coastalFlorida's largest open-water estuary. World-class snook and tarpon fishing. Rich history and urban w...
Identify This Species
Use our Species Identifier to learn how to distinguish the Roseate Spoonbill from similar species.
