River birds - the yellow spoon-bill
By Judy Evans
@JudyEv (382357)
Rockingham, Australia
February 2, 2019 4:40pm CST
The photo is of two yellow-billed spoonbill ibis (Platalea flavipes) which we saw while we were on our house-boat on the Murray River in Western Australia. You can see where the name comes from. There are six species which all have the flat, large bills and feed by wading through shallow water. As soon as any small creature touches the inside of the bill, it snaps shut. They spend many hours a day feeding.
The nostrils are near the base of the bill and there are bare patches of skin round the bill and eyes. The male gathers material for the nest and the female weaves a shallow bowl or platform. Both parents hatch out the chicks which don’t develop the spoon-shaped bill for some weeks.
Seeing all the different water-birds was a new experience for us but we probably didn’t need to take quite so many photos of them as we did.
17 people like this
17 responses
I just know them as spoonbills!
@DianneN (254926)
• United States
3 Feb 19
@JudyEv That's very wise and thanks. I usually ask one of the locals here and have learned to identify 4 new to me birds. I should get a Florida Audubon Society book. The one from our state is totally different as you can imagine. There also seems to be a vast difference in the looks of the same class of birds online.
I do take photos of the titles of statues and such when traveling. It's a big help to know what you are looking at! lol
1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 19
I guess it's general knowledge I've picked up over time and having written about quite a lot of birds and animals on different sites from time to time. So I knew it was a spoonbill of some sort. I searched for spoonbill on the web and opened a couple of tabs and also consulted an Australian bird book we have. I start off with a vague idea then do some research. I try not to put 'facts' if I'm not sure of them.
Edit: Sometimes there will be sign with information on it and I'll photograph that if I think it will be helpful. The bush thick knee had a line in the leaflet so at least I knew what to search for.
1 person likes this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
3 Feb 19
Wonderful adventure you had there. Yes, the birds are particularly attractive species. Your post is for our avian education, thank you.
I also take photos one too many. It is sign of how we are truly enjoying the moment. We want to capture every angle and show the best.
2 people like this
@eileenleyva (27555)
• Philippines
3 Feb 19
@JudyEv Yes, I am exactly like you in that regard. I store them all on facebook. 
My albums have become horrendous. 
My albums have become horrendous. 1 person likes this
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
4 Feb 19
I have collected a few feathers from our black cockatoos. Aren't these pretty?
@Happy2BeMe (99353)
• Canada
3 Feb 19
Very cool looking birds and interesting information.
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 19
Each type of bill is adapted for a certain purpose. It is just that we are more used to some than others.
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 19
I've cropped it heavily but we did get quite close to some of them.
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 19
Once you know, the name is pretty obvious I think.
@Marilynda1225 (91127)
• United States
3 Feb 19
Looks like it could be part of the pelican family
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 19
I think they are just a different bird with a specialised bill.
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 19
It's only a point and shoot and I've cropped the photo heavily so it's not well in focus but it lets you see what the bird is like.
@JohnRoberts (109841)
• Los Angeles, California
3 Feb 19
"Fishing" is their passtime!
2 people like this
@JudyEv (382357)
• Rockingham, Australia
3 Feb 19
We are not near water here so it was interesting to see the different water birds.
