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Royal Spoonbill

(Platalea regia)
Alternative name: "Black-billed Spoonbill"
Size: 75-80 cm

Habitat
(for details refer to a field guide)

Royal Spoonbills populate large parts of the Australian continent including Tasmania, with the exception of the most arid parts of the interior of the continent, i.e. - except for the coastal regions all of WA, the western half of SA and the southern half of the NT. In other parts of the semi-arid interior and most of the coastal parts of WA they are present only when there is sufficient surface water, normally after major rainfall events.

Royal Spoonbills are found in both freshwater and saline habitats, such as e.g. estuaries, tidal wetlands and mangrove marshes.

Sightings

Royal Spoonbills are found along waterways in many parts of Australia (mostly the eastern part of the continent). We often see them at times of rainfall, when billabongs and lakes near Narrabri are wet. Seen by us regularly, but always in small numbers, near permanent waters in the Narrabri area every year since 2005.

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

Lateral view of a Royal Spoonbill in breeding plumage

Two birds in breeding plumage, offering a lateral and a dorsal view

Lateral view of a Royal Spoonbill in non-breeding plumage

Royal Spoonbills displaying their breeding plumage

Here a group resting on a mudbank

Lateral view of a Royal Spoonbill in flight

Landing gear out, full flaps... (photo courtesy R. Druce)

... and touchdown! (photo courtesy R. Druce)

Here three Royal Spoonbills seen in flight

These two youngsters (left and right) were begging for food

One can open such a bill THAT far...

For those who like diversity: Adult Pacific Black Duck (front left), Royal Spoonbill (front right) and Masked Lapwing (rear left) on our former neighbour's billabong, 20 km south of Narrabri, NSW

Direct comparison of a Royal Spoonbill with two Australian White Ibises

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.

Nest

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

Eggs

Size: 69 x 42 mm Colour: White, with tiny red-brown speckles Shape: Tapered oval

Behaviour

Social behaviour: Communal Mobility: Sedentary/dispersive Elementary unit: Pair/family

Food

Spoonbills feed on small animals caught in their bill while sifting through shallow water.

Royal Spoonbill sifting through water