Tag Archives: Roseate Spoonbill

Wood Storks and Spoonbills, Oh My!

September 2, 2025 Ellen Jennings 1 Comment

Some days there are no birds in view; some days are like this!

Wood Storks and Roseate Spoonbills Feeding

We were here August 21, the water was high, and we saw a total of six birds.

Yesterday (September 1) the water had been let out of Lodge Pond leaving these streams with a concentrated food source for wading birds that feel for their prey.

There were hundreds of Wood Storks, at least fifty Roseate Spoonbills, and a sprinkling of Great Egrets and Snowy Egrets taking advantage of the easy eating.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 1, 2025

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbill Feeding

August 11, 2025 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

A Roseate Spoonbill worked his way along the pond while a Tricolored Heron hardly moved on a lovely day last autumn.

Roseate Spoonbill Feeding, Tricolored Heron Standing By

These smaller herons often hang around other wading birds, waiting for prey to be stirred up in the water.

Spoonbills eat very tiny crustaceans and who knows what that their bills sweep by in the water.

Occasionally they catch something that requires more of a toss to swallow it:

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
September 10, 2024

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbill, Landing, Oops–Not Landing

August 3, 2025 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

I spotted this Roseate Spoonbill heading towards the Spoonie Tree, looking to make a graceful landing.

Or so I thought…

For no reason that was apparent to me, he just kept on going…

…and going…

I waited patiently and he circled back…

and executed a successful touchdown.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
August 2, 2025

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbills, Barnacle Stump

May 4, 2025 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

A pair of Roseate Spoonbills wandered back and forth in the shallow water, doing bird stuff.

One of them was intrigued by barnacle covered stump for a few minutes.

Based on their light color and feathers still on their heads, both of these birds are young, probably last year’s chicks.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
April 25, 2025

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbills in the Spoonie Tree

April 30, 2025 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

A few Roseate Spoonbills continue to come and go around the big pond at Donnelley WMA.

The Spoonie Tree, Three Roseate Spoonbills

Vegetation is really greening up in and around the pond.

Last week the water was low so the base of the “Spoonie Tree” was fully exposed. And yes, I remain amazed that the tree is still standing.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
April 25, 2025

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbill Flying By

April 27, 2025 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

A few Roseate Spoonbills were in the big pond at Donnelley on Friday. One by one they took off, headed to the back of the pond. This one gave me a good view as he flew on by.

Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
April 25, 2025

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbills Working on Nest

March 25, 2025 Ellen Jennings 1 Comment

This was a modest sized stick for a Roseate Spoonbill to bring for the nest.

Roseate Spoonbill Gathering Nest Material

He took a moment to get it just so in his beak, then flew the final few feet to the nest, where it was a tight squeeze getting it situated.

Once he got there the female couldn’t turn around to take it from him–the usual pattern with new nest material.

The next looks pretty small so far…hardly big enough to hold even one egg.

The male went off for more, leaving her to rearrange the sticks before the next one arrived.

Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbill Pair on Nest

March 8, 2025 Ellen Jennings 10 Comments

There’s not much for a bird to do once the nest has been made and the eggs have been laid. (I didn’t see eggs but the one Spoonbill laying down is a good indication that they are there. )

Just preen and wait if you don’t have egg duty.

Just snooze if you do.

Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
February 11, 2025

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbill Set-to, More

February 21, 2025 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

More of the SET-TO a usually brief and vigorous fight or debate, per our friends at Merriam Webster

The bill clacking/snapping was how I first noticed there was something going on here.

There was a lot of wing flapping, too.

I didn’t even notice that the female stuck her beak in at one point.

And then it was over, the other fellow retreated to his chosen nest spot and this one started poking at the fronds and his spot again.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 12, 2025

Wading Birds

Roseate Spoonbill Set-to

February 20, 2025 Ellen Jennings 5 Comments

SET-TO a usually brief and vigorous fight or debate, per our friends at Merriam Webster

This was brief, and most definitely vigorous, and I’d say no clear winner but it was interesting to watch.

One Spoonbill and its mate were working on a nesting spot in the upper left of this palm tree. Presumably the female of that pair stayed out of this, off stage to the left.

The other Spoonbill was on his own, trying to get a nest started on the right side of the tree. Plenty of room for everyone, until there wasn’t.

The noises they were making caught my attention as I was going down the boardwalk.

No wonder they were squawking!

I wouldn’t have been surprised to see blood flying.

This went on for over 3 minutes, and at this point I couldn’t tell which bird was which.

St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
February 12, 2025