The African spoonbill (Platalea alba) is a distinctive long-legged wading bird belonging to the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae. This species is common throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa and is almost unmistakable through most of its range.
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African Spoonbill A Unique African Birds
Physical Characteristics
The African Spoonbill has pure white feathers, with red skin on the face, a grayish beak with reddish edges, and bright pink-red legs. 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.
This bird can be easily identified by its uniquely spoon-shaped bill. The beak is flat with wider, rounded ends resembling a spoon. At birth, the African Spoonbill’s bill does not resemble a spoon. It is born with a short beak that gradually develops into its spoon-like shape. It usually resembles a spoon right before it is time to leave its nest.
Its height is 90 cm (36″). Its body is predominantly white, except for its red legs, face, and bill. Its wing is 365-403 mm long. It stands about 90 cm (35 inches) tall, weighs about 1300-2500 g (about 3 pounds) and has a wingspan of about 100 cm (40 inches).
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Taxonomy:
- Class: Aves
- Order: Pelecaniformes
- Family: Threskiornithidae
- Genus: Platalea
- Species: P. alba
An African Spoonbill in flight, showcasing its distinctive spoon-shaped bill and white plumage.
Habitat and Distribution
The African spoonbill is common throughout most of sub-Saharan Africa. The African Spoonbill is commonly found in several of countries in the southern part of Africa. It lives in marshy wetlands with some open shallow water and nests in colonies in trees or reedbeds. It lives in shallow inland waters, such as marshes, lakes and reservoirs throughout much of subsaharan Africa. It is less likely to be found in coastal lagoons or estuaries.
The birds favor lakes, river oxbows, and islands of vegetation for nesting. The African Spoonbill usually resides by shallow inland waters. African spoonbills are shy towards humans and will quickly fly off.
Outside of the breeding season, they remain in groups of three to 30 individuals. They are gregarious in the company of other birds, though, and usually gather in small groups of 3 to 30.
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Behavior and Diet
African spoonbills feed during the day. They wade slowly through shallow water near shore sweeping their namesake bills back and forth. It fishes for its food by swinging its open bill from side to side in the water. African spoonbills eat small fish and aquatic invertebrates.
Feeding Habits
The African Spoonbill feeds by fishing in shallow water.
Breeding and Nesting
African spoonbills nest colonially with other species, usually in groups of 5-20 pairs but sometimes in groups of up to 250 pairs or more. These birds live in breeding colonies containing up to 250 pairs and often build nests in trees with other species nearby, such as herons and cormorants. They usually don't share colonies with storks or herons.
The African Spoonbill begins to breed in the winter. The breeding period starts in the winter and lasts throughout the spring. The female may lay 3-5 eggs during the month of April or May. No. of Young: The female lays 2-3 spotted eggs on a flattish oval platform made of reeds or sticks, often on partially submerged rocks or trees.
Mated pairs build flat, oval nests of sticks and reeds situated over or near water on partly submerged trees, in bushes or reeds, or on a rocky ledge. Their nests are constructed from sticks and reeds and often built over water on partially submerged trees. The inside of the nest is often lined with leaves. This bird’s eggs are usually spotted with colored dots of red, brown, or blue; however, the eggs from our nesting parents at the Honolulu Zoo were pure white.
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Females lay three or four eggs per clutch and both parents incubate them for around 23 days. Females lay clutches of 3-5 eggs. The egg undergoes incubation for up to 29 days by both parents. Both parents take turns incubating the eggs, with the female sitting most of the day on the nest and the male relieving her at night. Both parents care for the young, with the female on day shift and the male on night shift.
The eggs hatch after 25 to 29 days, and both parents care for the hatchlings for another 3 to 4 weeks until they are ready to leave the nest and be independent. After hatching the young are cared for by both parents for 20-30 days. Soon after, the young birds are ready to leave the nest. They begin to fly after another four weeks.
The chicks hatch covered in white down. They fledge at about 46 days. Parents continue to care for the chicks for another 3-4 weeks. The young bird places its head inside its parent’s mouth and receives regurgitated food. Parents offer them food until they fledge. The chick feeds by putting its head into the parent’s beak to get regurgitated food.
Conservation Status
The IUCN Red List classifies Platalea alba as a species of Least Concern. African spoonbills have an extensive range and stable population throughout southern Africa.
However, African spoonbills are threatened by the drainage of wetlands in some areas. They are particularly vulnerable in Madagascar, as some specific breeding colonies have been destroyed there.
Distribution map of the African Spoonbill.
Additional Information
The African Spoonbill is usually a shy and alert bird. It is usually found singly, but can also be encountered in pairs or in groups. It is usually silent, except for an occasional grunt when alarmed. This bird travels by flight. They are not a very vocal birds.
Quick Facts:
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Height | 90 cm (36 inches) |
| Weight | 1300-2500 g (3 pounds) |
| Wingspan | 100 cm (40 inches) |
| Plumage | Predominantly white |
| Bill | Long, grey, spatulate (spoon-shaped) |
| Legs and Face | Red |
| Habitat | Shallow inland waters, marshes, lakes |
| Diet | Small fish and aquatic invertebrates |
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
