African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) | 7 Interesting Facts 🥄💸

#Africanspoonbill #Plataleaalba #spoonbills

African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) | 7 Interesting Facts

The African spoonbill (Platalea alba) is a long-legged wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae. The species is widespread across Africa and Madagascar, including Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

It lives in marshy wetlands with some open shallow water and nests in colonies in trees or reedbeds. They usually don't share colonies with storks or herons. The African spoonbill feeds in shallow water, and fishes for various fish, molluscs, amphibians, crustaceans, insects and larvae. The animal uses its open bill to catch foods by swinging it from side-to-side in the water. The moment any small aquatic creature touches the inside of the bill it is snapped shut. Long legs and thin, pointed toes enable it to walk easily through varying depths of water.

Interesting Facts:
A group of Spoonbills is called a ‘bowl’.

The spoonbills have a global distribution. They are found on every continent except Antarctica.

Spoonbills generally prefer fresh water to salt but are found in both environments. They need to feed many hours each day.

Spoonbill chicks are born with a short bill; within 30 days after hatching their bill gradually develops into its spoon-like shape and becomes just like in adults.

African spoonbills sometimes follow hippos and Nile crocodiles to feast on aquatic prey stirred up by these large animals.

They are related to the ibis. Their Latin name is Platalea alba which, literally translated, means pearl waterbird.

The average African spoonbill is approximately the size of a toddler, which is pretty big for a bird. They stand approximately three feet tall with an incredible wingspan of between four and four-and-a-half feet in length.

In the wild they can live up to 15 years and 17 years in captivity.

Nests are built in trees, reed beds and rocky ledges.

They are one of the most egalitarian species on the planet. Which means that both males and females build the nest, incubate the eggs and feed and rear their offspring.

Even though they are listed by IUCN’s as Least Concern, their biggest threat is loss of habitat.

There are six species of spoonbills.

Timestamps:
0:00 Intro
0:08 catching
0:23 fishing & catching
0:38 Great Egret & Spoonbill
1:00 hits Egret in the bum
1:08 fishing
1:31 close-up
1:50 photos
2:24 cross-eyed bird
2:54 Spoonbill & Egret
3:07 bowl of Spoonbills + Heron & Egret

🎵 Music in this video 🎵:
"The Pirates are Coming"
New Advent
G-Yerro

ALL IMAGES IN THIS VIDEO ARE COPYRIGHTED, ©Becca Wood - B. Wood Photography. No part of this video shall be downloaded, altered or reproduced in any way or by any means without the formal written permission of B. Wood Photography. All Rights Reserved

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"My profession is to always find God in nature." Henry David Thoreau
"God is in the details." Ludwig Mies van der Rohe

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[BWoodPhotography]

Isn't nature amazing? Spoonbills have such unique bills. Did you notice at the 1:00 mark the Spoonbill hitting the Egret? Two wading birds, but so different in size and build. Thank you for your support. I really do appreciate it and I am grateful to you for taking the time to watch and comment. Wishing you all the very best. Becca

[WildwatchNature]

Interesting information beautiful birds

[hikangsK]

Thanks for sharing my friend 📽 Good luck and have a wonderful day 🙏

[ZaynMusic]

Really appreciate the effort has taken....Keep doing, keep growing.i love it💗💗💗

[Fortheloveofbirds]

Spoonbills are beautiful birds, wonderful video.

[RYANandMICHELLEchannel]

What a fantastic bird! Amazing to watch it using that beak to forage around in the water, great info

[dragon-acrocantho]

Great information. Nice sharing .Have a peaceful new week 👍

[giftednanointedcrafts]

Your photography is awesome 👏🏽 dear, hope to see u soon. ✨💯📹📷📸🎞

[TastyFoodTour]

Good Day Dear New Friend From ISTANBUL
Thanks For sharing this Fantastic Video

[HikeToWildlife]

It's fun to watch those amazing birds alone and in a bowl. Loved the footage and music 👍 Warm greetings 🌞

[INSPIRINGTRIPS]

Watching here my friend, sending my full support, have a nice day...

[JenniferLupine]

Lovely to see these African Spoonbills! I’ve seen Roseate Spoonbills before in Texas and have always appreciated them! Wonderful to learn about another variety of spoonbill! It’s really interesting that they are such a large bird. They are beautiful to watch - thanks for sharing your excellent videography! 👌👍💗⭐⭐⭐

[quote_nature]

Fantastic looking birds. Love watching how they feed with that special spoonbill. Great seeing them next to the egret and learning that a group of spoonbills is called a bowl! Obviously coined by someone with a sense of humor ;) Thank you Becca for the stunning views!! Best regards, Cathy

[pavelboro]

Greetings Becca. A beautiful bird and obviously a good hunter. Very well captured. Thanks for sharing. Have a nice weekend.🌞Pavel🦊

[DonnaTaibossigai]

Such a uniquely-designed bill. Lovely footage Becca!

[enerisworld]

Thank you for sharing this informative video. Very interesting. I enjoy watching. Keep it up. New friend here.

[BirdsNatureTravel]

Wow.. amazing to watch his pink spoon.. thanks for sharing

[jarmilakacirkova]

A very interesting way of obtaining food. Eurasian spoonbill lives here. Thanks, from the Czech Republic Jarmila

[gijsvermeulen]

Hello, thanks for showing and really nice to see this!!! Greetings Gijs

[MainlightDrone]

Super interesting, Becca! I loved the photography and learned a lot! These guys are fascinating!