Tampa's Lowry Park Zoo - Animal Fact Sheet


AFRICAN SPOONBILL (Platalea alba)
Range:	Across Africa and Madagascar.
Habitat:	Marshy wetlands with some open shallow water.
Diet:	Fish and aquatic invertebrates such as crustaceans or shellfishes, insects, larvae, and mollusks.
Status	Least Concern (IUCN)
Approx. Dimensions of Adult:	Height: 3 feet tall. Length: 4-5 feet.
Offspring:	Lay 3-5 eggs that are incubated for 29 days.
The African Spoonbill occurs in marshy wetlands with some open shallow water, nesting in colonies in trees or reedbeds. It does not usually share colonies with storks or herons. Usually two to four eggs are laid. The African Spoonbill is almost unmistakable through most of its range. The breeding bird is all white except for its red legs and face and long grey spatulate bill. It has no crest, unlike the Common Spoonbill. Immature birds lack the red face and have a yellow bill. Unlike herons, spoonbills fly with their necks outstretched.