African White Spoonbill

scientific name

Platalea alba

size

Height. 36"
Wing. 365-403 mm
sexes alike

characteristics

Adaptations/Coloration. white with blue-gray or lilac bill " feet & toes whitish-pink " eyes white " young bird tips blackish & feet black " nestling white

behavior

Fishing. scythes water side-to-side
Flight. fly info " neck extended
Personality. usually shy & wary
Voice. usually silent " guttural grunts at nest " alarm note "wark-wark"

reproduction/life span

Nest. sticks in trees " reeds in swamp " among rocks
Eggs. 2-4 " white " blotched & spotted at end with red, brown, & violet-gray " colonial nesters " benefit from large aggregation

diet

Wild. grasshoppers, locusts, & water insects

habitat/range

South Africa

status

not listed

oregon zoo exhibit

Africa Rain Forest