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Conspicuous large white bird with a long, spoon-shaped bill, black facial skin, legs.
Not listed
Indigenous: Bulunbulun, Dhaminy, Gu-Garrala, Burlunburlun, Burrumbiyina, Spunbel, Bulupbulun, Murluymurluy, Maadhaabulaa, Lhawuya, Black-Billed Spoonbill
At a glance
FamilyIbises and Spoonbills
SizeLarge
RarityCommon
HabitatMarshes, estuaries, river edges, mangroves, mudflats, and shallow water.
Best timeReported across most months in Queensland, with no narrow seasonal peak.
Sounds
Sound sampleRecorded by Khristos Nizamis
Range map
Range map
4723visible hotspots
262863visible records
6states
SparseModerateDense hotspot
Aggregated occurance data is sourced from 14 different actively-updating datasets including eBird Australia, iNaturalist Australia, BirdLife Australia, and multiple state-based bird surveys through Atlas of Living Australia.
Species notes
Overview
Breeding adult develops long white plumes on the back of head.
Behavior
Often feeds in shallow wetlands, either singly or in small flocks. Submerges bill and makes a sweeping motion to feed.
Gallery