The Roseate Spoonbill

The Roseate Spoonbill

About
Roseate Spoonbills (Platalea ajaja– what a fun name to say, right?) can typically be found in coastal areas. They prefer shallow waters, and typically thrive in marshes and mangroves. The Roseate Spoonbill is one of six spoonbill species across the world, and is the only one to sport pink plumage. This pink pigment, much like Flamingos, is due to their diet. These birds are typically around 3 feet tall, and can weigh up to 4 pounds.

Importance
These birds maintain balance within our ecosystems by preying on fish and invertebrates, as well as benefiting the soil and other bird species as they nest in colonies.

Threats
Although the species has made a comeback after being hunted to near-extinction, their main threat today is pollution and habitat loss due to human development. These birds and many other species depend on shallow-water habitats, which are slowly disappearing. They are protected under the U.S. Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

How Can I Help?
To learn more about our wildlife and how you can get involved, here are a few Florida-based organizations that focus on protecting wild Florida:

The American Bird Conservancy is an organization that is dedicated to conserving wild birds and their habitats across the Americas. They have protected around 1.1 million acres of habitat and improved conservation management. They accept donations and offer membership programs in order to continue their great work.

The National Audubon Society is a nonprofit organization that has been dedicated to protecting birds and our environment for over 120 years in 11 countries. They do this through science, community building, diplomacy and advocacy. They provide many opportunities for the public to get involved in the efforts for conservation.

The Florida Wildlife Federation is a statewide non-profit conservation organization that seeks to safeguard Florida’s wildlife, wild spaces and water. They are committed to “taking action today to prevent irreversible loss tomorrow.” This organization helps to provide ways for Floridians to get involved and have a say in what happens to our state, whether that’s volunteering with them, participating in events, and staying engaged in policies.

Sources – allaboutbirds.org, nps.gov, pubs.usgs.gov, animaldiversity.org