Platalea flavipes
Description
Size: 76-92cm
Sexes are the same. Large, all white Spoonbill with a yellow bill. Plumage is often discoloured with mud. Develops long breast filaments when breeding.
Call
Mostly silent. Some coughing and hissing in breeding colonies.
Distribution
Widespread from the coast to deep inland and western WA.
Nesting
Builds a stick nest high in a tree, preferably over water. Can nest in a colony sometimes. Breeds from September to January.
Habits
Rarely occupies saline water bodies. Widespread in permanent and ephemeral pools, dams, wetlands, flooded paddocks, etc. Feeds on fish, crustaceans, molluscs and insects in the water by scything their bill from side to side. Sometimes feeds on dry land. Usually in pairs or small groups but also single birds appear at times. Fairly common and dispersive as they follow the rain patterns.