Spoonbills - Family Overview

Spoonbills are large, distinctive wading birds belonging to the family Threskiornithidae, which also includes ibises. They are easily recognised by their long legs, elongated necks, and unique spoon-shaped bills.

These birds are strongly associated with wetlands such as shallow lakes, marshes, estuaries, lagoons, mudflats, and flooded grasslands. Spoonbills typically forage in shallow water, moving slowly while sweeping their bills from side to side.

Spoonbills feed mainly on small fish, crustaceans, aquatic insects, and other invertebrates. Their specialised bill allows them to detect prey by touch, snapping shut rapidly when food is encountered.

Breeding usually takes place in colonies, often shared with other waterbirds such as herons, egrets, and ibises. Nests are built in trees, shrubs, or reedbeds close to water, and breeding plumage may show subtle colour changes.

In India, spoonbills are widely distributed across suitable wetlands, with some species occurring as residents and others as seasonal visitors. They are considered key indicator species for the health of wetland ecosystems.

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Licensing & Prints

Selected photographs of spoonbills are available for licensing and editorial use. You can explore curated images in the Spoonbills collection on BirdsPhotos Shop.