The Platalea ajaja (scientific name) or roseate spoonbill is found in South America, specifically the coastal regions of Caribbean, Gulf Coast and Mexico. 28-34 inches in length, this bird is very often mistaken for the flamingo, because of its pink plumage. The head is golden-green and the neck, back and chest are very pale-pink. There is a tuft of dark-pink feathers near its shoulders. The beak is flat, grey and spoon-like. In fact, the beak helps it to sift through the mud and strain food from the water. Its diet is comprisesd of small fish, aquatic insects, newts, frogs and crustaceans. A clutch of the roseate spoonbill has 2-5 eggs which are incubated for 22 days. Its IUCN listing is the LEAST CONCERN.
Roseate Spoonbill
