Tag: shore birds

Florida’s Other Pink Birds are the Roseate Spoonbill

The Roseate Spoonbill is Florida’s other wild, pink bird.

Most people associate flamingos with Florida, but we have other birds that are pink. The Roseate Spoonbill is quite an interesting, and eye-catching bird. It is large, with long legs like the flamingo, but the color is more pink and white.

Roseate spoonbills
Roseate Spoonbill

The big difference in the two birds is the beak. Flamingos have short hooked beaks whereas the Spoonbill has a long, flat bill.

The Roseate Spoonbill is a state designated threatened species. As is true with so much of Florida’s wildlife, their habitat is disappearing.

I have never seen a wild flamingo strolling around Florida. However, they do exist in the southern part of the state. I have however seen the Roseate Spoonbill.

Roseate spoonbill

All photos on this page are shared courtesy of the photographers of Pixabay.

One day when we traveled by boat down through Haulover Canal and out into the wide open waters of Mosquito Lagoon, I saw a flock of beautiful pink birds flying to one of the islands. That is when I discovered this beautiful (also pink) tropical bird that lives in my area.

flying roseate spoonbills

We have come across the Spoonbill sitting quietly on a tree limb along the backwater places we sometimes travel in our boat. To be clear, the Spoonbill is a rare sighting for us.

roseate spoonbills

Where Are Roseate Spoonbills Found?

In the US they can be seen along coastal areas of Florida – I am on the east coast and yes, they are here. See their Florida distribution at the FWC website.

Read more about the Spoonbill at Audobon.org. and be sure to view their photos, which are gorgeous and amazing!

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Florida Shore Birds I’ve Seen

I will admit that I am not a big bird-watcher. And I am the worst wildlife photographer on the planet. Taking pictures of wildlife usually makes me mad. Animals don’t cooperate or wait for me to get the shot, so I rarely try to capture anything in the wild – except for mollusks, which move slow enough for me!

While out on the water I have come across typical Florida birds, which have ended up in my photos.  These photos were taken using my iPhone, using the zoom, so they are not very good.  I have made some good guesses as to what these birds are, but then again, they are guesses.

These Terns stood in formation along the sandy island we visited recently. I think they are Royal Terns.

Royal Terns
Royal Terns

Royal Tern shore bird
Royal Terns all lined up

(Below) Late in the afternoon my sons and I were fishing and beach-combing at Ponce Inlet and this white bird ended up beside me. As I walked down the shore, he followed me and stayed close by. Maybe he thought I was fishing, or picking up something yummy from the sand to share with him… I don’t know.
I also have no idea what he is. He looks like a snowy egret without the long legs and neck!

Please help, if you can identify this one.

unknown white bird
This white bird followed me along the beach

The little birds in my video are probably Sanderlings.  They raced around picking at the sand as the sea came back up onto the sand.

(Below) When we pulled up behind Disappearing Island these birds were walking in the shallows. Because the big one has a curved bill, I identified it as a White Ibis. The little one with it could be a juvenile of the same breed.  That other little bird (behind the white one) could be a plover or sandpiper, I suppose.

White Ibis and baby
White Ibis and Baby – My best guess

Out in the backwater we see many other types of birds, but usually we are riding in the boat, which means I am holding onto my hat and can’t get a photo.  I will try to get more pictures to add to this page.

Whenever we pull up to an island and I see birds, I remind myself that I am invading their territory. They are either living there or have stopped to find food or even to rest. There is precious little wilderness left in Florida for all kinds of wildlife, and I don’t want to stress them out by being too close.