Eurasian Spoonbill

1. Bird Name:
The bird under scrutiny is the Eurasian Spoonbill. Its scientific name is Platalea leucorodia.

2. Appearance:
The Eurasian Spoonbill has an all white plumage with distinctive yellow-tipped, flat, bill shaped like a spoon, which widens towards the tip. This distinctive feature led to their name ‘Spoonbill’. Their legs are black and the eyes are yellow. The males and females are similar in appearance, but the males are generally larger. During the breeding period, adults develop a crest of elongated head-plumes.

3. Size:
An average adult Eurasian Spoonbill measures between 80 to 93 cm (30 to 37 inches) in length. Their wingspan ranges from 120 to 135 cm (47 to 53 inches). The weight of a full-grown bird ranges between 1.2 and 2.1 kilograms.

4. Habitat & Distribution:
The Eurasian Spoonbill is a widespread bird and can be found across much of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They majorly inhabit wetlands, like marshes, rivers, lakes, and flooded areas, as these areas offer their primary diet, aquatic animals. They nest in trees, reed beds, or on cliffs usually near the water.

5. Interesting Facts:
The Eurasian Spoonbill uses its specialized bill to catch prey. They sweep their bill side to side under the water to catch small aquatic animals. Another unique trait is their migration habits. Birds in Europe, North Africa, and West Asia migrate south for the winter in large flocks. The spoonbill’s symbolic representation in many cultures typically symbolizes spiritual healing or nurturing.

6. Diet:
The Eurasian Spoonbill’s diet mainly comprises aquatic animals. They eat small fish, amphibians, crustaceans, insects, and occasionally even small birds and mammals. They wade through the water, moving their beak from side to side to locate food.

7. Behavior & Sounds:
Nesting colonies of these birds are a noisy bunch. Their call is a deep, throaty croak. They are sociable birds, often nesting in colonies with other water birds. The breeding pairs build nests and both parents care for the young.

8. Conservation Status:
Currently, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Eurasian Spoonbill is categorized as of ‘Least Concern’, although the population trend is decreasing.

9. Lifespan:
The average lifespan of a Eurasian Spoonbill in the wild is about 10-15 years. In captivity, they might live longer depending on the environmental conditions and care provided.

10. Additional Notes:
Among regional communities, Eurasian Spoonbills are known by names such as the ‘Khisti’ in Southeast Asia. They generally don’t interact much with humans and prefer their wetland habitats. In their ecosystem, Eurasian Spoonbills play a significant role in controlling the population of small aquatic animals as they are excellent predators. They also act as indicators of healthy wetland ecosystems.