Platalea ajaja
Thanks to its bright pink plumage, the spoonbill might be mistaken for a short, odd-looking flamingo from a distance. However, that’s where the similarity ends. The spoonbill is a full-time resident of South Florida’s coastal areas, like Siesta Key, and prefers wetland marshes with tree cover. Shallow waters—salt or fresh— teeming with small crustaceans and fish are prime feeding grounds for the spoonbill. Its unique style of hunting will have you tapping your toe! With a steady upbeat rhythm, the bird sweeps its head side-to-side; its spoon-shaped bill, slightly open, trawls just below the water’s surface. Attuned to the slightest touch of a tasty tidbit, the bill snaps and traps its prey in a flash. The spoonbill owes its pink panache to the types of aquatic delicacies it eats. This bald adult spoonbill lost the once-feathered crown of its youth and, in the process, gained mesmerizing ruby eyes that were previously dull and dark brown.
Jan Baumgartner handmade note cards showcase Siesta Key scenic and wildlife.
Siesta Key Notecards are now available in two locations:
BLVD Beachwear
5239 Ocean Blvd
941-349-2583
Shelly’s Gift and Christmas Boutique
4420 S Tamiami Trail
941-260-8905
Author: Siesta Sand
- Tags: The Tweet Life