African Spoonbill

African Spoonbill (Platalea alba)

Being endemic to Sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar the African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) is one of the most easily conspicuous and recognisable of birds, I say this is due to its extraordinary ‘bill’ which looks like a pair of long grey ‘paddles’ attached to its face.

With these paddles (or ‘spatulated’ bill) the African Spoonbill, continually forages in the freshwater wetlands, pans, rivers and flood plains for its food which consist of small fish, crustaceans, molluscs and insects.

African Spoonbill (Platalea alba)