Platalea ajaja

(Linnaeus, 1758)

Vernacular names
English : Roseate spoonbill
French : Spatule rosée

Classification
Class : Aves
Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Threskiornithidae
Notes : No subspecies known.

Identification
The species grows to 86 cm in length for a weight of 1.4 kg. Unmistakable with its bald bluish-grey or orange head with greenish bill. Black nape, white neck, red legs. Rest of plumage pink with a red wing band.

Range and habitat
The species occurs from southern USA coasts through central America to western Argentina and south Brazil. Lives in wetlands in open areas, mostly coastal, more rarely inlands.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Not Listed
Status : The species is generally uncommon and very sensitive to disturbance. Potentially threatened by pollution, hunting and habitat loss.
Ex-Situ Programs : SSP in America

Observation

 

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