Long-Legged WADERS of Australasia
The long-legged waders are comprised of the egrets, herons, ibises, spoonbills, storks, and flamingos. They are a diverse group, united by their long legs that enable them to wade for food. The egrets and herons are in the Ardeidae family, while the ibises and spoonsbill belong to Threskiornithidae. These two families belong to the same order and it is considered by some to be the same order as the storks (Ciconiiformes), but DNA information is prompting them to be moved to a different order. The flamingos belong to their own order, Phoenicopteriformes.
Spoonbills
Order Ciconiiformes disputed Family Threskiornithidae
Ibises and spoonbills are closely related. Their most striking difference is in bill shape, with the ibises having curved bills and the spoonbills having straight bills that are broad at the end. Ibises use their bills to probe in mud, while spoonbills move their side to side in the water to catch prey. At night they roost in trees that are near and often overhanging water.
Genus Platalea
Spoonbill, Royal aka Black-billed Spoonbill Platalea regia Found: Australia, New Zealand and some Pacific Islands
Photographed by: 1, 3, 4) Dick Daniels - Australia 2) Dick - Australia
Spoonbill, Yellow-billed Platalea flavipes Found: Australia
Photographed by: 1) Petr Baum - Zoo in Healesville, Victoria 2) Sandy Cole - San Diego Zoo
All photos on this site are available for general use. Please credit the photographer. Some images have additional constraints such as no commercial use or no modifications. Click the photo credit link for details. Dick Daniels, webmaster.