Todays birds are Spoonbills - these large water bird seen to be rather nervous and I have struggled to get images of them by 'stalking'. I think a hide may be needed for these birds - which seems like a good plan for the new year! (If anybody has any experience of using small portable hides I'd be interested to hear what you have to say).
We have two species of Spoonbill in Australia - The Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia) and The Yellow-Billed Spoonbill.
The Royal is the slightly smaller of the two species at about 80cm tall, while the Yellow Bill can be over 90 cm. But this difference is hard to see in the field - the key field marks are the colour of the bill and legs. The Royal has a black bill and legs, while the Yellow-Billed is (wait for it!) yellowish! However, in my experience the the bill of the Yellow-Billed often looks almost white, or even flesh coloured. Maybe its my eyes!
Another difference seems to be that the Royal is a little more proud of its plumage (befitting its station!) and tends to be spotlessly clean, while the Yellow-Billed can look a bit grubby at times!
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| Royal Spoonbill |
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| Royal Spoonbill |
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| Yellow Billed Spoonbill |
the royal sure is snazzy. :)
ReplyDeleteSuch unusual bills! But I love them. Nice photos!
ReplyDeleteThere's no doubt in my mind how that bird got its name!
ReplyDeleteProbably as close as I'll ever get to either.
ReplyDeletelol, I did see both of them :)
ReplyDeleteBlack and white dress and royal - lovely! I like the contrast more on the Royal.
ReplyDeleteMy blogging is taking a backseat as well. I'll wish you a joyous Christmas now in case I don't get back. :)
Spoonbills are neat birds.
ReplyDeleteWe have nothing but the yellow variety around here. And they aren't very skittish. I've gotten within twenty feet of them before they find other waters to hunt.
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos and text. They all look pristine to my eye. Of course we have the Roseate Spoonbill, one of my favorite birds. It has appeared only once on our neighborhood Florida wetlands. They are grouped with your spoonbills as part of the Old World ibises. Our ibises are an offshoot of that group. They really get around!
ReplyDeleteLove them! Just gorgeous as always. Thank you for sharing your beautiful birds and teaching us about them. As well, thank you for hosting Wild Bird Wednesday. A Blessed Christmas to you and yours. -Tammy
ReplyDeleteAh, yes!! The perfect name indeed!! Great shots for the day as always, Stewart!! Hope your week is going well!!
ReplyDeleteAmazing birds to see...
ReplyDeleteBrilliant! I have never seen a spoonbill with a black beak before.
ReplyDeleteThey are so weird looking. I've failed at seeing our roseate spoonbills in the wild. Someday. Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteThe Royal certainly looks more regal with that distinctive black bill. Super views of both species Stewart.
ReplyDeleteBest wishes to you and the family for a glorious (warm) Christmas.
Those are neat birds! I really enjoyed your photos.
ReplyDeleteSuch interesting looking birds...Nature is a wonderful thing.
ReplyDeleteI hope you and your family have a very Merry Christmast, Stewart. Relax and enjoy your time together. :)
That Royal Spoonbill is a stunner. Love the yellow eye and black bill combo.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the Spoonbills. I have not seen the one with the yellow bill.
ReplyDeleteThey're very impressive looking Spoonbills.
ReplyDeleteThe Royal Spoonbill is beautiful. Wonderful sighting and photos of both of the Spoonbills, Stewart.. I did not know there were so many.. Thanks for hosting, have a Merry Christmas!
ReplyDeleteWow...love the dark bill!! Ours here have 'grayish' bills.
ReplyDeleteIf we don't see you for the holidays...I hope you and your family have a great Christmas Stewart.
Beautiful birds! What crazy beaks they have, but I guess it is just right for them. :) Love it.
ReplyDeleteGreat photographs, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteI love watching Spoonbills feed with that back and forth motion.
Very interesting post!
We wish you and your family a wonderful and peaceful holiday season!
I believe I favor the looks of the Royals! lol
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos of the spoonbill.
ReplyDeletePerfect photographed Stewart.
Best regards, Irma
They are gorgeous-great shots.
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun looking bird. Love the shots.
ReplyDeleteThey are truly beautiful birds and so interesting with their spoonbills. Commenting will be sparse for sure for most of us these next two weeks, but it's a time of year when we all understand.
ReplyDeleteThe Royal is a bit more important looking what with that elegant bill. MB
ReplyDeleteThe gorgeous Royal Spoonbill seems to be aptly named.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen one up close so this is AWESOME!!! And to think you were right near them!!!!...:)JP
ReplyDeleteLove both types of Spoonbills. Thanks for linking me in and hosting.
ReplyDeleteI saw a yellow billed in Queensland and it was a childhood dream cone true! I have been fascinated by these rather odd birds since I saw one in a book when I was a Kid. The Royal really is an eye-catching bird with the yellow eyes. Lovely sequence
ReplyDeleteFantastic shots, Stewart! I love the second one!
ReplyDeleteSuper shots- Merry Christmas to you and yours!
ReplyDeleteThe Royal Spoonbill is definitely dressed for the occasion. Glad to hear WBW will be the rock to tie our anchor to over this busy season. :) Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteVery cool birds!
ReplyDeleteI hope your holiday is splendid!
Spoonbills, rather a good name for these interesting and beautiful birds.
ReplyDeletevery neat looking birds,would love to watch them in person! Have a wonderful week & stay warm,phyllis
ReplyDeleteI'd love to capture spoonbill photos through my lens. Lovely birds.
ReplyDeleteLove the black billed ones, beautiful!
ReplyDeleteGood stalking! Great shots of the spoonbills, it's nice to see both. The Royal does seem to have a lot of pizzazz with the wonderful crest, the red on the eyes, and the contrast with the black.
ReplyDeleteI will eventually be back to WBW -- I always visit the rock that it is, even if I don't always contribute!
ReplyDeleteWe have Roseate Spoonbills here in Florida and I did not know that there were any others. Fascinating birds.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.
Well, believe it or not, I am just coming over to WBW on a Saturday morning. Like you, I am scurrying around try to whip up a Christmas befitting my wonderful family (though my son will be in Thailand for Christmas and sorely missed). I love your Spoonbills and though I agree the Royal looks regal, I don't see any scruffy on the Yellow. They are both impressive birds. I am hoping to have time to post on your Christmas Eve WBW, but just in case (being that I never get as much done as I think I am going to) I want to make sure that I wish you a Very Merry Christmas with your wonderful Family. Having children that are young enough to stir up the excitement is always a plus. Since I don't have your home address, I posted a Christmas card of Nature Footsteps ... it is for you as well as my other blogging friends. Be well, be safe and enjoy, Stewart ...
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
Great shots of the Royal. They can be rather unobliging and very flighty. I have never come across the Yellow though.
ReplyDeleteThat royal sure is regal. Merry Christmas to you and yours. Jo
ReplyDelete