Eurasian spoonbill : Platalea leucorodia (Portrait)

Eurasian spoonbill : Platalea leucorodia

T his is a nesting Eurasian spoonbill in breeding plumage on a Babool (Vachellia nilotica) tree upon which it had built its nest. This image was shot by Sharang Tenjarla at Kapil Sarovar, Sri Kolayatji, Distt. Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.

Notice the yellowish bill tip and ridged pattern across the entire length of the flat bill.

The nest is a few metres above Kapil Sarovar - the waterbody in the area. Actually it’s a proper desert all around this oasis for miles on end. The nest is a platform made of sticks.

Eurasian spoonbill : Platalea leucorodia

Hindi: Chamach baza; Sanskrit: Shwet aati; Telugu: Gante mukku konga

IUCN Status:  Least Concern

Main features: Tall bird, white feathered; during breeding season sports orangish-rust like chest feathers, yellowish-rust coloured front of neck, and a crest on the back of its head and upper neck; and has black long legs. Its distinctive feature is a long black and yellow flat bill, striped across its length and flared at its end – like tongs or spoon – and often yellow-tipped.

Found usually near marshes and shallow lakes in flocks but may be found individually too.

Generally utters low baritone grunts and ‘clacks’ its bill to communicate.

Nests usually between July to November. Nests are made of sticks and mud atop trees along water bodies.

Feeds by plunging its spoon/tongs shaped bill under water and moving it side-to-side in a stirring motion to sift for snails, molluscs, fish, tadpoles, frogs, insects and random veggie stuff found there.

It is threatened by activities of man through loss of habitat, overfishing in lakes, air and water pollution and destruction of eggs. Also, it is vulnerable to avian viral diseases.

Photographed at Kapil Sarovar, Sri Kolayat ji, Distt. Bikaner, Rajasthan, India in July, 2013.

Camera used: Nikon D5100 DSLR with AF-S DX NIKKOR 55-300mm VR Lens.