African Spoonbill

Species: African Spoonbill
Habitat: Wetlands
Status: Least Concern
DAK Locale: The Oasis

It is fairly obvious at first glance where the name spoonbill comes from when looking at these aquatic birds. In the marshes of Africa, where the spoonbill lives, the unusual beak is put into the water and swung from side to side in order to catch prey.  This bird has a wide variety in its diet, including fish, mollusks, invertabrates, amphibians, and crustaceans. It is not choosy, what it gets in its huge bill, it eats. It well adapted to the shallow pools and swamps with its long, thin legs making it easy for the bird to navigate the muddy ground.

The African spoonbill is widespread and common in its habitat. It can be found all across southern Africa as well as Madagascar. They nest in the trees near the waterline. The clutch of eggs numbers between 3 and 5 and are laid usually in springtime (April and May). The eggs are incubated by both parents. Both parents also care for the young for up to 5 weeks. The young generally leave the nest at that point to hunt in the nearby swamp. They can fly at about 8 to 10 weeks.