Roseate Spoonbills

These birds were almost hunted to extinction for their colorful plumage in the 19th century, but they appear to have made a comeback, at least in Florida, Texas and southwest Louisiana. The only place I’ve seen these birds outside of confinement is in Florida where they can be found pretty much all over the state. My favorite spoonbill spots are Merritt Island NWR near Titusville, the Viera Wetlands in Melbourne, the Gatorland Rookery in Orlando and the St. Augustine Rookery. They are at home and feed with all manner of other wading birds like ibis, herons and egrets.