Roseate spoonbill (Platalea ajaja)
The Roseate spoonbill
(Platalea ajaja) is a spoonbill from the family of ibises and spoonbills (Threskiornithidae).
Species name
- Dutch name:
- Roze lepelaar
- English name:
- Roseate spoonbill
- German name:
- Rosalöffler
- French name:
- Spatule rosée
- Scientific name:
- Platalea ajaja
Scientific classification
- Order:
- Pelecaniformes
- Family:
- Threskiornithidae
- Genus:
- Platalea
Description
- Description:
Male and Female:
Roseate Spoonbills are pale pink birds with brighter pink shoulders and rump. They have a white neck and a partially feathered, yellowish green head from which their red eyes shine. The long bill that is flattened into a spoon at the end protrudes from their small head.Juveniles:
Are paler pink and have a completely feathered head for 3 years until they attain adult breeding plumage.
Standard Measurements
- Body Length (cm):
- The male (drake) of the Roseate spoonbill measures approximately 71–86 centimeters. The female measures approximately 71–86 centimeters.
- Body Weight (grams):
- The male will weight about 1200-1800 gram. The female will weight about 1200-1800 gram.
The weight is notoriously variable and can only be used as indication!
- Breeding:
- The female Roseate spoonbill usually lays from 2-5 white, spotted with brown eggs and incubates them for 22-24 days.
- Bird banding:
- Recommended closed leg band ring size for the Roseate spoonbill is 14 mm.The leg band ring can only be applied on a young spoonbill at around 14-16 days old.
- It doesn't matter what leg that you band, but it's good to have a consistent system. Suggested: Left leg = Female, Right leg = Male
- Maintenance food:
-
Floating special complete food for sea birds with the highest nutritional requirements thanks to a particularly high protein content of 45%.
Ideal for daily feeding in animals that eat a lot of protein in their natural habitat. A must for "fish eaters".
- Regulation:
- No information about regulation available
Photos of the Roseate spoonbill
