The African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) is a common wetland wading bird, native to the wetlands of Africa.

The African Spoonbill is a large white bird with a pink-grey spoon-shaped beak (bill), a red forehead and face, and long pink and black legs for wading in shallow water.

It can grow to 90 centimetres (35.5 inches) tall.

It lives in colonies of up to 250 pairs in lagoons, marshes, swamps, lakes, and floodplains. It is found in west Africa, and eastern Africa.

The African Spoonbill is carnivorous, feeding on crustaceans, fish, and small insects by sweeping its beak from side to side in shallow water.

It is a nomadic bird, looking for food. They always fly in a V formation to their feeding grounds. They always fly with their heads stretched out and extended.

When the African Spoonbill is breeding, it grows long white plumes (feathers) from the back of its head. It builds a nest of sticks in a tree. The female lays 2-3 eggs, which hatch after 21 days.

 

Photographer: Martina Nicolls

Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM