How to recognize a spoonbill?

The Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) belongs to the family of ibises and spoonbills (Threskiornithidae).

Spoonbills are easy to recognize. They are large and white, have long black legs, but are of course best recognized by their spoon-shaped bill. This feature inspired their names in many languages: Spoonbill (English), Espatula (Spanish), Spatule (French), Löffler (German), Leppelbek (Frisian). From a distance, the also white little and great egrets have a more vertical posture. Spoonbills fly with stretched necks, while egrets keep their necks tucked in.

The spoonbill is about 80-93 cm tall and has a wingspan of 120-135 cm. De adult birds have a black bill with a. orange-yellow tip. In breeding plumage, they have a large crest with yellow tips, an orange breast, and an orange-red throat. After the breeding season, they loose their crest and orange markings on their breast and throat. Immature birds are white, but have black wingtips and a greyish bill. They do not yet turn into breeding plumage. When freshly hatched from the egg, the chicks have orange legs and bills. In a few weeks, their bill become flesh-coloured, and their legs black.

At first sight, males and females look very similar. However, experienced observers can see the difference. Males are somewhat larger than females, have a longer bill, and a slightly differently shaped head. The forehead of males forms a straight line with the bill, while females have a more egg-shaped (“bumpy”) forehead.