Eurasian Spoonbill

The Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) is a striking wading bird distinguished by its long, flat, spoon-shaped bill, which it uses for foraging. The species ranges across parts of Europe, North Africa, and Asia, favoring wetlands, shallow lakes, and estuarine environments. Eurasian spoonbills are predominantly white, with a slight crest on the back of their head during the breeding season, giving it an elegant appearance. It stands approximately 70–95 cm (28-37 in) tall, with a wingspan ranging from 115 to 135 cm (45-53 in).

Within its range it is probably most similar to the rarer black-faced spoonbill (Platalea minor) of East Asia. The Eurasian spoonbill is distinguished by being visible larger, having a yellowish tip to its bill, and a feathered white face, whereas the black-faced spoonbill has a distinct featherless black face and entirely black bill.

The Eurasian spoonbill is primarily found in wetlands, marshes, and shallow lakes, where it thrives in both freshwater and saline environments. Its diet consists mainly of small aquatic organisms such as fish, crustaceans, insects, and occasionally small amphibians. The spoon-shaped bill is not just for show—this specialized tool allows the bird to feed in a unique manner. It sweeps its bill from side to side through the water, feeling for prey, and then snapping the bill shut when it detects something edible. This tactile method of foraging is highly effective in the murky, shallow waters that the Eurasian spoonbill typically inhabits.

Eurasian spoonbills are social birds, often found in small to large groups, especially outside the breeding season. They are generally silent but can produce a variety of low calls and grunts when in groups or during courtship. These birds are known for their graceful flight, often flying in a V-formation or a straight line with steady, rhythmic wingbeats. In terms of social behavior, they are cooperative foragers, sometimes forming mixed-species flocks with other waders and waterbirds.

This species is partially migratory, with northern populations moving southwards to wintering grounds in Africa, the Middle East, and southern Asia. The timing of migration typically occurs from late summer to early autumn, with birds covering significant distances between their breeding and wintering sites. Some Eurasian spoonbills are also resident in milder climates, where they may not migrate but instead move locally in response to changing water levels and food availability.

The breeding season for Eurasian spoonbills generally begins in late spring, around April or May, depending on their location. During courtship, spoonbills engage in elaborate displays that involve mutual preening, bill clapping, and sometimes offering of twigs or other nesting material. They nest in colonies, often with other wading birds, in reed beds, bushes, or low trees close to water. The nest is a large, platform-like structure made of sticks and reeds.

A typical clutch consists of 3 to 5 eggs, which are incubated for about 21 to 25 days. Both parents share the duties of incubation and feeding the chicks. The young fledge after approximately 7 weeks but often remain dependent on their parents for some time thereafter.

The Eurasian spoonbill is currently listed as least concern by the IUCN, but certain populations, particularly in Europe, have experienced declines due to habitat loss, pollution, and human disturbance. Wetland degradation and drainage for agriculture or development pose significant threats to their habitats, although conservation efforts have been successful in stabilizing and even increasing some populations in recent years.