Yellow-billed Spoonbill — Australian Bird Identification Guide

Bird guideYellow-billed Spoonbill

However, as the six species were so similar morphologically, keeping them within the one genus made more sense.

⚠️Not listed

🌿Endemic to Australia

🍃Indigenous: Gu-Garrala, Murluymurluy, Dhaminy, Lhawuya, Spunbel, Maadhaabulaa, Bulunbulun, Bulupbulun, Burrumbiyina, Burlunburlun, Yellow-Legged Spoonbill

At a glance

FamilyIbises and Spoonbills

SizeGiant

RarityCommon

HabitatIt occurs in shallows of wetlands, and occasionally on dry pasture.

Best timeMost reliable in Victoria from December to April.

Sounds

Sound sample

0:000:00

Recorded by nick talbot

Range map

Occurrence window

5580visible hotspots

127152visible records

5states

Low confidenceMediumHigh confidence

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

Large dull-white bird with a long, spoon-shaped bill. Plumage often appears dirty. Diagnostic yellow facial skin, legs, and bill. Submerges bill and makes a sweeping motion to capture prey.