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Royal SpoonbillAlternative name: "Black-billed Spoonbill" Size: 75-80 cm Weight: 1.4-2.1 kg |
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Similar species |
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SUBSECTIONS:
Classification
Distribution
Sightings
Photos
Breeding
Nest
Eggs
Behaviour
Food
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Taxonomy, classification |
See Royal Spoonbill
at Wikipedia 
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Range, habitat, finding this species |
(for details refer to a field guide) |
Click here to display information on habitat,
range and finding this species
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Sightings |
We see Royal Spoonbills regularly in wetlands in inland NSW.
Click here to display more sighting
information
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Photos |
Near-lateral view of a Royal Spoonbill in breeding plumage; note
the characteristic neck feathers, yellow patches above the eyes, and
the red forehead patch
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2010]
Lateral view of a Royal Spoonbill in breeding plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2006]
Two Royal Spoonbills in breeding plumage, offering a lateral and a dorsal view
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2011]
Lateral view of a Royal Spoonbill in non-breeding plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2012]
Royal Spoonbills displaying their breeding plumage
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, February 2009]
Here a group of Royal Spoonbills resting on a mudbank
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, September 2011]
Lateral view of a Royal Spoonbill in non-breeding plumage
[Narrabri, NSW, August 2012]
Lateral view of a Royal Spoonbill in flight
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, October 2012]
Landing gear out, full flaps... (photo courtesy R. Druce)
... and touchdown! (photo courtesy R. Druce)
Three Royal Spoonbills seen in flight
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, December 2010]
These two youngster Royal Spoonbills (left and right) were begging for food
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, April 2011]
Lateral view of an immature Royal Spoonbill in flight
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, August 2011]
A Royal Spoonbill can open its bill THAT far...
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, August 2011]
For those who like diversity: Adult
Pacific Black Duck
(front left), Royal Spoonbill (front right) and
Masked Lapwing
(rear left)
Direct comparison of a Royal Spoonbill with two Australian White Ibises
[Eulah Creek, NSW, October 2011]
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Breeding information |
| Breeding season: Jul - Nov | Eggs: 2 - 3 | Incubation period: 26 - 31 days | Fledging age: ca. 49 days |
The breeding season depends significantly on geographical latitude. In the tropical north Royal Spoonbills breed Feb - May. Given the right conditions, Royal Spoonbills can breed any time of the year. They breed in colonies, together with other aquatic birds.
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Nest |
"bungobittah", "malunna" = Nest [Aboriginal] |
| Type: Basket | Material: Sticks, lined with leaves | Height above ground: 0 - 20 m |
Royal Spoonbills can nest in trees or just above water level, e.g. on lignum.
Pair of Royal Spoonbills at their nest on an island in Narrabri Lake
[Narrabri Lake, NSW, February 2009]
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Eggs |
"boyanga", "booyanga", "derinya", "dirandil", "koomura", "nooluk" "pateena" = Egg; "dirundirri" = eggs [Aboriginal] |
| Size: 69 x 42 mm | Colour: White, with tiny red-brown speckles | Shape: Tapered oval |
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Behaviour |
| Social behaviour: Communal | Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive | Elementary unit: Pair/family |
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Food, Diet |
Royal Spoonbills feed on small animals, such as crustacians, snails and insects, but also fish, caught in their bill while sifting through shallow water.
Royal Spoonbill sifting through water
