The Roseate Spoonbills that I saw in Florida  more clearly demonstrate the differences between the immature and adult birds than those I’ve seen in South Carolina. The pink color comes at least in part from their food that they sift out of the water with their unique beaks.

Over time the pink shades darken as the pigments concentrate, they get a black band around their head and loose the white head feathers. The younger Spoonbills also have smoother  beaks.

These two finally stood side-by-side in a marsh for a comparison shot.

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Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, 1/28/2018.