African Spoonbill
NameAfrican Spoonbill
Common NameAfrican Spoonbill
Scientific NamePlatalea alba
FamilyThreskiornithidae
Wingspan (cm)110
Length (cm)80
Weight (g)1700
Plumage DetailsAdults are entirely white with bare red skin on the face and around the eyes. The long, flattened bill is greyish-pink, and the legs are reddish.
Vocalization / CallGenerally a silent bird, but may produce grunts and hisses, particularly when disturbed or at the nest.
Primary Dietcarnivore
Primary Habitatswetland
Conservation Statusleast-concern
Geographic RangeWidespread across sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar, inhabiting various freshwater and brackish wetland environments.
Identifying Featureslarge white plumage, long spatulate bill, red bare facial skin, red legs
Description
The African Spoonbill is a large, elegant wading bird characterized by its entirely white plumage and distinctive spatulate bill. It forages in shallow waters, sweeping its unique bill from side to side to detect and capture prey.
