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Eurasian Spoonbill

Platalea leucorodia

Least Concern (IUCN Red List)Ibises and Spoonbills
Eurasian Spoonbill, photographed by Andreas Trepte

Photo: Andreas Trepte · Wikimedia · CC-BY-SA 2.5 (licence)

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Call and song

About the Eurasian Spoonbill

Distinctive, large white wading bird with a spatula for a bill. Adult has short crest, yellowish breast patch. First year has paler bill, with fine black wingtips visible in flight. Sleeping birds have horizontal posture and bulging neck, vs. more vertical stance of egrets. Found in wetlands with shallow water (including tidal flats), where feeds by sweeping its bill side-to-side for crustaceans and small fish. May be confused with egrets when sleeping, but note stockier, more thickset overall appearance.

Species account: eBird.org, fetched 2025-12-26 · How these pages are made

Where it has been recorded

Recorded in 116 of the 253 countries we have eBird lists for. Each opens that country's checklist.

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