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        A peek at Florida's Nature
Spoonbill Album
The Roseate Spoonbill is usually a shy, reclusive bird, but one Saturday evening in February this spoonbill decided to take a bath in plain sight. It turned in every direction - left, right, front, back - and posed with wings up and wings down. This bird put on a very interesting show.

All of these images are Copyright J.A. Heintz.

Click on a thumbnail and start the slide show.
Adjust the speed or pause if you like.

These photos were taken in Palm Harbor, Florida.


Some quick facts about Roseate Spoonbills:

  • Roseate Spoonbills are about 32" tall, approximately 80 cm.
  • At a glance they appear pink.
  • They have long white necks.
  • Adults have a red marking on each wing.
  • They have a long flat bill that is spoon-shaped at the end.
  • They have long red legs.
  • Their feet are not webbed.
  • They have red eyes.
  • Their wings are pink underneath.
  • The adults have orange tails.
  • They eat fish, shrimp, water insects, worms and snails.
  • To catch food, they stand in shallow water and swish their bills from side to side and sift food from the water and the soft bottom.
  • They are often seen with herons.
  • They are reclusive and will take flight if disturbed or startled.
  • Young Roseate Spoonbills are pale pink.

 All photos on this website by J.A. Heintz
All written material by D.C. Heintz

Copyright 2010 D.C. Heintz. All rights reserved.


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