Roseate Spoonbill

This Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja) has been hanging around the impoundments at Pea Island National Wildlife Refuge for several weeks now, and conveniently showed up again in time for the annual Audubon Christmas Bird Count on December 28! A southern species, breeding in Florida and points south, they use the odd, spoon-shaped bill to sweep from side to side in shallow water in their quest for food. It is anyone's guess as to why this spoonbill is on the Outer Banks - particularly in winter!

Image Details