Eurasian SpoonbillPlatalea leucorodiaWhere and when to see them

The Eurasian spoonbill is a large white wetland bird named for its flattened, expanded bill tip. Rather than relying entirely on sight, it finds small aquatic animals by sweeping that bill through shallow water. Breeding adults acquire a shaggy crest and a yellowish breast patch, adding subtle colour to an otherwise pale appearance. Its distribution is patchy because suitable feeding shallows and secure nesting places must occur together, often within extensive wetland complexes.

Size

80-93 cm long

Weight

1.2-2 kg

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Feeding birds move slowly through shallows with the bill partly open, swinging the head from side to side. Contact with prey triggers rapid closure. Spoonbills often feed and rest socially, commuting between feeding areas and colonies in purposeful flights with the neck extended. They nest in trees, reedbeds or on suitable islands depending on local conditions. Breeding success is sensitive to water levels, disturbance and the availability of shallow, prey-rich feeding areas. Courtship displays involve bowing, bill clapping, and mutual preening, often performed at the nest site within the colony. They are highly social, typically nesting in mixed-species colonies with other wading birds like herons and egrets.

• The bill's widened tip contains sensory structures useful for detecting prey.
• Young birds have paler bills and dark tips on the flight feathers.
• Breeding adults develop both a crest and a yellowish breast band.
• Groups sometimes feed in loose lines across a shallow pool.

Portuguese estuaries can support spoonbills throughout the year, with autumn and winter often useful for watching gatherings. In Greece, spring passage and the warmer breeding months offer opportunities at suitable wetlands. Local water levels and wetland management can alter availability substantially. In the wider Mediterranean, many individuals undertake short migrations, often staging in Greek wetlands before moving further south or to other breeding grounds. Spring and autumn migrations can bring spectacular numbers to key stopover sites across both destinations.

Shallow lagoons, estuaries, saltpans, marshes and flooded grassland provide feeding habitat. Both fresh and saline wetlands can be used. Nesting requires comparatively secure islands, reedbeds or trees, while deep water and steep-sided shorelines generally offer little feeding opportunity. Coastal lagoons, deltas, and large river floodplains are particularly important for larger populations. These birds often prefer sites with a mosaic of open water, mudflats, and emergent vegetation for foraging and roosting.

Small fish, shrimps, aquatic insects and other invertebrates make up much of the diet. Amphibians and additional small aquatic animals may also be taken. Feeding depends on water shallow enough for walking and on prey accessible to the sweeping bill. Their specialized bill allows them to filter small items from the water, often targeting crustaceans, insect larvae, and small fish fry. They employ a tactile feeding strategy, sensing prey rather than visually hunting in turbid waters.

Common name

Eurasian Spoonbill

Scientific name

Platalea leucorodia

Animal group

Birds

Size

80-93 cm long

Weight

1.2-2 kg

Lifespan

Not reliably established

Status

Least Concern

Identification

The long spoon-shaped bill and extended neck in flight distinguish it from white egrets, which have pointed bills and usually fly with their necks folded. Juveniles have a yellowish or dusky bill and a paler, sometimes mottled, plumage, lacking the adult's full crest and yellowish breast band during breeding. In flight, the strong, steady wingbeats and outstretched neck are characteristic.