A Snowy Egret and a Roseate Spoonbill were feeding side-by-side in a small pond, each taking advantage of prey the other stirred up.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
November 30, 2024
Great Egret, Flexible
Tag Archives: Roseate Spoonbill
Roseate Spoonbills Feeding
Roseate Spoonbills were feeding in the shallow water in the big pond at Donnelley WMA at the end of July.
Spoonbills use a lot of energy to feed as they are constantly in motion sifting the water for prey.
Groups often stick together, following the food the others stir up.
Sometimes they venture away from the group, allowing for a lovely portrait.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 28, 2024
Roseate Spoonbill, Smooth Tree Landing
The incoming Roseate Spoonbill did stick his landing, but it easily could have ended differently. The Spoonbill on the lower branch never doubted, or didn’t care.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
October 8, 2024
Green Heron Flying
While I was busy watching the Roseate Spoonbills a Green Heron charged out of the grass at the edge of the pond.
He landed on a branch of the Spoonie Tree.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 26, 2024
Bathing Attracts Attention
A Roseate Spoonbill just wanting to refresh a bit on a hot morning was attracting attention. First an Alligator swam his way.
Then another Spoonbill came to see what the fuss was about, likely hoping some food was getting stirred up.
It looked like the first Spoonbill was getting “goosed.”
But it it didn’t bother him enough to move. The alligator observed from a respectful distance.
The water was lowered last week in the big pond at Donnelley WMA. Wading birds and the local alligators took advantage of the abundant food supply concentrated in a smaller volume of water.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
July 26, 2024
Roseate Spoonbill Chicks Feeding
The three Roseate Spoonbill chicks in this nest were all vying for an opportunity to get fed.
The adults regurgitate their meals…
…and the chicks stick their beaks into the adult’s throat.
The adult didn’t seem to showing any preference, whichever chick stuck his beak in the right direction got something.
At this age the chicks don’t have much coordination so it was rather a free for all. Just guessing here and knowing they grow fast, this trio might be a week or ten days old.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
April 16, 2024
Roseate Spoonbill Chick
Cuteness overload!
St. Augustine Alligator Farm, St. Augustine, FL
April 16, 2024
More Pink, Spoonbills
We spotted some Roseate Spoonbills at the start of our first trip around Black Point Wildlife Drive on our New Years trip to Florida.
This section of the marsh is often nearly dry, but higher than normal December rains had provided enough water depth for the Spoonbills to wade and forage.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 30, 2023
Roseate Spoonbill Feeding
A small flock of Roseate Spoonbills and assorted other wading birds were feeding around a stand of mangrove. We could only see a few of them, but they put on quite a show of color and technique.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
January 1, 2024
Roseate Spoonbill Flying By
Here he comes…
Happily he made a turn…
…but didn’t land. Away he went.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, Florida
December 29, 2023