Hello, everyone! Are you familiar with the Eurasian Spoonbill? This bird, at first glance, seems like a regular heron, but it actually belongs to the family Threskiornithidae, which is quite surprising. Let’s explore the allure of the Eurasian Spoonbill!
The Eurasian Spoonbill is about 85 cm long with a wingspan of approximately 125 cm. Its plumage is beautifully white, turning slightly yellowish on the throat and chest in summer and fading a bit in winter. Feathers extending rearward over the head, with a yellow tip on the beak and black legs. Males are slightly larger than females. In Japan, this bird is known as a rare winter visitor, seen from Hokkaido to the Southwestern Islands. It is regularly seen in Kyushu, where its wintering sites are increasing. The Eurasian Spoonbill visits mudflats and wetlands, presenting an excellent opportunity for natural observation, especially when it’s feeding.
The most distinctive feature of the Eurasian Spoonbill is undoubtedly its unique ‘spoon-shaped’ beak. This beak is highly effective during feeding. The bird sways its beak from side to side in the water to skillfully catch fish and crustaceans it encounters. Unlike other herons that rely on vision to catch prey, the Eurasian Spoonbill uses this sensory method.
The Eurasian Spoonbill builds plate-shaped nests using dead branches and lays 3-4 eggs at a time. Both parents participate in incubation and cooperatively care for the young. However, their vocalizations are mostly heard during the breeding season, and in Japan, there are few opportunities to hear them. They sound like “Hoo Hoo” or “Ufoo Ufoo.”
Additionally, their flying style, with an outstretched neck, differs from other heron species. They have a slightly forward-leaning stance and appear overall robust.
The beak and ecology of the Eurasian Spoonbill are truly marvels of nature. If you ever come across this rare bird, be sure to observe these unique features! See you next time!
