African Spoonbill
Platalea alba
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<birdfyi-bird slug="platalea-alba"></birdfyi-bird>The African Spoonbill (Platalea alba) is a bird species in the family Threskiornithidae (ibises & spoonbills), within the order Pelecaniformes (pelicans & herons). Recorded measurements include a wingspan of 76.8 cm and a weight of 1.5 kg. The IUCN Red List classifies it as Least Concern.
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About
The African Spoonbill is a large wading bird of the Threskiornithidae family, with an impressive wingspan of about 77 cm and a weight of around 1,460 g. It sweeps its distinctive spatula-shaped bill side to side through shallow water to filter out fish, crustaceans, and aquatic invertebrates.
Physical Description
| Measurement | Value | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Wingspan | 76.8 cm | 30.2 in |
| Weight | 1460.0 g | 51.50 oz |
Habitat & Range
Conservation Status
Behavior & Breeding
Nesting
Nest type: PL. Incubation: 25-29 days. Fledging: 46 days.
Clutch Size
2-3
Taxonomy
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Aves |
| Order | Pelecaniformes (Pelicans & Herons) |
| Family | Threskiornithidae (Ibises & Spoonbills) |
| Genus | Platalea |
| Species | Platalea alba |
Distribution
African Spoonbill has been recorded in 9 countries.
countries highlighted
External Databases
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the African Spoonbill endangered?
How does the African Spoonbill nest?
How big is the African Spoonbill?
What order and family does the African Spoonbill belong to?
Similar Birds
Other species in the Threskiornithidae family