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Eurasian Spoonbill
(Platalea leucorodia)
: "(Common) Spoonbill"
Size: 80-90 cm; wing span 1.15-1.3 m
Weight: 1.13-1.95 kg
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Similar
species |
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Physical description |
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 Click here for a physical description
Eurasian Spoonbills are medium-sized aquatic birds with an all-white
plumage.
Their most distinguishing feature is the spoon-shaped bill.
During the breeding season they have a pale-yellow
nuchal crest.
They also have a pale-yellow chin patch and the area around the
eyes is also pale-yellow, in addition to a pale-yellow neck
band that extends into a pale-yellow front (breast, belly).
The irises are orange-brown. The bill is black, with a pale-yellow
edge and tip. The legs and feet are black.
In eclipse
the nuchal crest
and any pale-yellow hues in the plumage disappear, leaving
Eurasian Spoonbills entirely white.
Juveniles
resemble
non-breeding
adults, but with a horn-coloured bill.
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Taxonomy, classification |
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See Eurasian
Spoonbill at Wikipedia  .
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Range, habitat |
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Click here for information on habitat
and range
The overall distribution of this species can be assessed, and
specific locations where birds have been spotted can be found,
based on individual sighting reports submitted by birdwatchers to
ebird.org
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The global distribution of the Eurasian Spoonbill is available
HERE
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Eurasian Spoonbills have a wide-ranging distribution, from
the South coast of England and the continental North Sea
coast, the northern Mediterranean coastal fringe and parts
of the Black Sea and Caspian Sea coastlines all the way to
Japan in the East.
Nominate race
"leucorodia" occupies almost the entire range, except
the Canary Islands off Mauretania (race "balsaci") and the
Red Sea coast and Somalian coastline (race "archeri").
In Arabia Eurasian Spoonbills are found on the Red Sea coastline
(race "archeri") and along the North coast, where nominate race
"leucorodia"
is found, especially in winter.
Eurasian Spoonbills are found in both freshwater and saline habitats,
such as e.g. freshwater lakes, estuaries, intertidal wetlands and
saltmarshes.
They are usually found in (near-)coastal areas.
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Sightings |
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Click here for sighting information
Race "leucorodia"
Eurasian Spoonbills, race "leucorodia",
were first spotted by us in Oman at a few water
puddles in an otherwise dry riverbed (wadi) at Qurm, near Muscat,
Oman, in December 2009.
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Photos |
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Race "leucorodia"
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ADULT |
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NON-BREEDING |
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Eurasian Spoonbill looking over its shoulder
[Qurm, December 2009]
Here the same Eurasian Spoonbill as shown above, looking sideways...
[Qurm, December 2009]
...and here the same Eurasian Spoonbill looking the other way
(click on photo to see a
Western Reef Heron
for comparison)
[Qurm, December 2009]
Near-dorsal view of a Eurasian Spoonbill in flight
[Qurm, December 2009]
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Food, Diet |
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Eurasian Spoonbills feed on small animals caught in their bill while sifting
through shallow water.
These pages are largely based on our own observations and those of our
contributors. The structure of these bird pages is explained HERE. For more salient facts on any bird species
please refer to a field guide.
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Call/s
