Roadside Roseate Spoonbills.

They are doing some work next to A1A, Ocean Blvd, on Hutchinson Island, not far from the bridge to Sewall’s Point. The disturbed earth and drainage ditch water have been attracting wading birds including these spoonbills.

Pretty pink feathers but a little bit ugly on top, especially when they go bald as adults.

These birds were mostly just standing around when we pulled over and I jumped out of the car for a few photos, on the way home from Publix.

What a unique bill!

This species feeds in shallow fresh or coastal waters by swinging its bill from side to side as it steadily walks through the water, often in groups. The spoon-shaped bill allows it to sift easily through mud. It feeds on crustaceans, aquatic insects, frogs, newts and very small fish ignored by larger waders.

Roseate Spoonbills are members of the ibis and spoonbill family, Threskiornithidae.

Roseate Spoonbills are pink because of the pigments in the food they eat, same as flamingos. But that doesn’t really explain why other birds that eat shrimp and crustaceans don’t turn pink.

Pink legs too.

They are shaped a lot like ibises.

Here are a couple of White Ibis nearby for comparison.

There was also a Tri-Colored Heron across the ditch.

Five spoonbills altogether.

The heron was noisy.

Pink feathers in afternoon sun.

See you all around, I hope.