Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), Espátula Rosada (Spanish)
Two notes:
1.Uncommon in birds, the stunning pink colors of the Roseate Spoonbill are derived from its diet especially with red carotenoid pigments in algae found in crustaceans and other shellfish. Plus the spoonbill can also make its own red pigments by chemically changing yellow pigments found in its diet.
2.What may look like a kneecap on its leg is actually its “ankle”.
PRETTY IN PINK
Roseate Spoonbill ablaze with carmine red and hot pink colors during breeding.
Cotton candy softness
Cotton candy softness
Pink blush.
Pink blush
Bubble gum flight
Bubble gum flight
Ruby red ballet slippers
Ruby red ballet slippers
Fine-feathered elegance
Fine-feathered elegance
Flight of fancy pink
Flight of fancy pink
Pastel pink clouds
Pastel pink clouds
Rose petal angel wings
Rose petal angel wings
Pink fades
Pink fades
DISCLAIMER: REFERENCES REALLY DON’T AGREE ABOUT THIS SPECIES.
National Geographic Bird Coloration, Sal a Pajarear Yucatan, Birds and Reserves of Yucatan, A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America
Cherie Pittillo, “nature inspired”, zoologist, wildlife photographer, and author, explores nature everywhere she goes. She’s identified 53 bird species in her Merida, Yucatan backyard view. Her column, published on the 7th and 21st of each month features anecdotes about birding in Merida, Yucatan and beyond. Contact: [email protected] All rights reserved, © Cherie Pittillo.
2 comments
Splendid photographs, Cherie! As usual though, I might add. We are seeing roseate spoonbills a lot now in coastal South Carolina now too as they lose their habitat in Florida.
Gorgeous Birds! Your photos are spectacular as always. And where are you now?
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