By: Anushka Jha
Spoonbills are known for their distinctive spoon-shaped bills, which they use to sift through mud and shallow water to catch prey like fish and crustaceans.
These birds are typically found in wetland habitats such as marshes, swamps, and coastal lagoons, where they can find ample food sources.
Spoonbills have a specialized diet primarily consisting of aquatic creatures like small fish, shrimp, and insects, which they filter from the water with their unique bills.
Spoonbills often gather in large flocks, especially during breeding season, where they engage in courtship displays and communal nesting.
During the breeding season, spoonbills build their nests in colonies, typically in trees or shrubs near water, where they raise their chicks.
Some spoonbill species undertake seasonal migrations, moving between breeding and wintering grounds to find suitable habitats and food sources.
Due to habitat loss, pollution, and hunting pressures, many spoonbill species are considered threatened or endangered, emphasizing the need for conservation efforts.