Least Concern African Spoonbill
Platalea alba
Also known as: White Spoonbill (African variant)
The African Spoonbill is a long-legged wading bird found in marshy wetlands and shallow lakes across sub-Saharan Africa. It is named for its long, spatula-shaped bill, which it uses to hunt by sweeping it side-to-side through the water, snapping it shut the moment it detects prey. They are social birds, often nesting in colonies alongside herons, ibises, and storks.
Did you know?
African spoonbills use their sensitive bills to detect prey underwater, feeding mostly on fish, insects, and crustaceans. Quick Facts
Detailed Information on the African Spoonbill
Weight
1.6 kg
Height
90 cm
Length
90 cm
Wingspan
125 cm
Top Speed
45
km/h
Social Structure:
Colonial
Activity Pattern:
Diurnal
Trophic Level: Carnivore
Migration: Nomadic
Population Trend: Stable
Main Threats:
- Habitat degradation
- Pollution
Okavango Delta (Botswana)
Kruger National Park
Family: Threskiornithidae
Order: Pelecaniformes
