African Spoonbills:
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| Spoonbills use their open bill to catch foods by swinging it from side-to-side in the water, which catches foods in its mouth. |
The African Spoonbill is white bird with long red legs that they use to wade into the water. With it's distinctive coloring and lack of a crest, unlike the common spoonbill, it is easy to distinguish them from other species. (2)
Their natural habitats are marshy wetlands with some open shallow water like river banks, lake shores, marshes, plains, savannas, swamps and water-meadows. They feed on fish and aquatic invertebrates. The inside of the spatula-shaped beak reacts to touch. When it touches something in the water, it snaps shut quickly. (1)
They will nest from winter to spring in trees above the water. Eggs are generally laid between April and May. Both parents will tend the eggs for 29 days during incubation and continue caring for the young for another month. (2) At birth, the African spoonbill’s beak does not resemble a spoon. It is born with a short beak that gradually develops into a spoon-like shape. It usually resembles a spoon right before it is time to leave its nest.(1)
Spoonbills can live up to 30 years in captivity. They are classified as least concern since their population is stable and they cover a vast range of area.(1)
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