ExploreBirds

Eurasian Spoonbill

Platalea leucorodia

The Eurasian Spoonbill is a beautiful bird with a long, flat bill that looks like a spoon! They love to wade in shallow waters, searching for tasty fish and insects to eat.

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The Eurasian Spoonbill is a large, elegant white wading bird with long, dark legs. Its most distinctive feature is its long, flat, black bill, which broadens into a yellow-tipped spoon shape. During breeding, adults may display a yellow-orange chest patch and a shaggy crest.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassAvesOrderPelecaniformesFamilyThreskiornithidaeGenusPlatalea
Eurasian Spoonbill
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Eurasian Spoonbill

Category

Birds

Rarity

Common

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Snaps

Be the first to snap!

Interesting facts

Baby spoonbills have short, straight bills that only flatten into a spoon shape as they grow!

Some Eurasian Spoonbills fly thousands of kilometers, from Europe to Africa, for winter!

Their spoon-bill lets them feel for food by touch, even in murky water where they can't see!

They often nest in crowded colonies, sharing space with other waterbirds like herons!

Special abilities

Ability

Sonar Sweeper

Eurasian Spoonbill can sweep its unique bill side-to-side to feel and snap up hidden prey in murky waters.

Ability

Saline Sipper

Eurasian Spoonbill has special glands that help them filter out salt, allowing them to drink saltwater habitats.

Ability

Silent Stalker

Eurasian Spoonbill has long legs that help it wade into deeper water without disturbing unsuspecting prey.

Measurements & details

Length
70-80 cm
Wingspan
115-135 cm
Weight
1-2 kg
Lifespan
10-17 years
Top Speed
60 km/h
Clutch Size
3-4
Incubation
21-25 days
Migration Distance
5000 km

Diet & Feeding

They sweep their unique bill through shallow water to catch tiny fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Primary Foods

  • small fish
  • insect larvae
  • crustaceans
  • tadpoles
  • worms

Foraging Method

  • Filter Feeding

Ecological connections

eaten by

White-tailed Eagle

Haliaeetus albicilla

Eagles may prey on eggs or young spoonbills.

eaten by

Red Fox

Vulpes vulpes

Foxes sometimes raid nests for eggs and chicks.

eats

Mosquitofish

Gambusia affinis

Spoonbills actively consume small fish species like this.

eats

Midge

Chironomus plumosus

Larvae of these insects are a common food source.

shelters

Grey Heron

Ardea cinerea

Spoonbills often share nesting colonies with herons.

Traits

Also known as

No aliases listed yet.

Collections

Safety

Danger

1/5 · Very low

Always watch birds from a distance and be quiet so you don't scare them away.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is Eurasian Spoonbill?

70-80 cm

What is Eurasian Spoonbill's wingspan?

115-135 cm

How much does Eurasian Spoonbill weigh?

1-2 kg

How long does Eurasian Spoonbill live?

10-17 years

How fast can Eurasian Spoonbill move?

60 km/h

What does Eurasian Spoonbill eat?

They sweep their unique bill through shallow water to catch tiny fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Where is Eurasian Spoonbill usually found?

Wetlands

How does Eurasian Spoonbill hunt?

Filter Feeding

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