White American Spoonbill
A number of waterbirds have odd shaped bills.The bills of the ibis and the curlew are long and downcurved, while that of the avocet is curved upwards.One of the oddest is that of the spoonbill.It’s the shape of the bill that has given the bird its name.This bill is widened at the tip, and is actually more spatula-shaped than spoon-shaped, because its tip is not dished.The birds feed with their sensitive bills open a few centimetres. They sweep them from side to side through shallow water in search of small aquatic creatures such as water beetles and small yabbies.The inside of the “spoon” is equipped with “vibration detectors”.
This special feature enables the birds to feel for their food rather than look for it.
White American Spoonbill
A number of waterbirds have odd shaped bills.The bills of the ibis and the curlew are long and downcurved, while that of the avocet is curved upwards.One of the oddest is that of the spoonbill.It’s the shape of the bill that has given the bird its name.This bill is widened at the tip, and is actually more spatula-shaped than spoon-shaped, because its tip is not dished.The birds feed with their sensitive bills open a few centimetres. They sweep them from side to side through shallow water in search of small aquatic creatures such as water beetles and small yabbies.The inside of the “spoon” is equipped with “vibration detectors”.
This special feature enables the birds to feel for their food rather than look for it.