African Spoonbill

Taxobox
name = African Spoonbill
status = LC | status_system = IUCN3.1

---

image_width = 220px
regnum = Animalia
phylum = Chordata
classis = Aves
ordo = Ciconiiformes
familia = Threskiornithidae
genus = "Platalea"
species = "P. alba"
binomial = "Platalea alba"
binomial_authority = Scopoli, 1786

The African Spoonbill ("Platalea alba") is a wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family "Threskiornithidae". This species is a widespread resident across Africa and Madagascar.

The African Spoonbill occurs in marshy wetlands with some open shallow water, nesting in colonies in trees or reedbeds. It does not usually share colonies with storks or herons. Usually two to four eggs are laid.

The African Spoonbill is almost unmistakable through most of its range. The breeding bird is all white except for its red legs and face and long grey spatulate bill. It has no crest, unlike the Common Spoonbill. Immature birds lack the red face and have a yellow bill. Unlike herons, spoonbills fly with their necks outstretched.

This spoonbill feeds on various fish, frogs and other water creatures.

The African Spoonbill is one of the species to which the "Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds" (AEWA) applies.

Media

References

* Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern