Tuesday, July 06, 2021

Travel Tuesday -Roseate Spoonbill


I have seen them before, at their home range in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, just north the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, not as a long distant traveler. The Roseate Spoonbill has a remarkable pink coloration and a spool shaped bill. They normally don't come father north than Central Florida, yet here one is, about 800 miles from home. Likely driven north by recent tropical storms this one landed recently here in northern Virginia at Huntley Meadows a county park about 3 miles from the condo. 


This traveler from the south east is drawing a crowd, the drive into the park was lined with parked cars last Saturday morning when I ventured out for a look.  Like other pink wading birds, the pink color is largely a result of diet, hopefully this bird finds it way home to shellfish, before it's color fades into memory.  In the meantime, I was the local watching the tourist, rather than the tourist being watched by the locals.  

 

14 comments:

  1. That is cool! I hope he splits before winter...he may be sorry otherwise. I once found a owl injured here. The wildlife refuge came and got him. Turns out he too was way off course...by way of Britain!!!

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    1. That is a long way off course

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  2. Those strays do attract a lot of attention. Great bird watcher watching.

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    1. I am surprised how fast word spreads

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  3. Anonymous7/06/2021

    How good is that! I've only seen them in the Singapore Zoo.

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    1. So many pretty birds around the world, some of them fly

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  4. Hopefully he was just visiting family, and will find his way home soon!

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    1. Maybe he fled the politics of Florida

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  5. How fun to see this gorgeous bird so far north. The only place I've ever seen them is in Costa Rica.

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  6. He's a star! And quite right so -- beautiful plumage!

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    1. There have been some photos online, his wings are an amazing pink,

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  7. Replies
    1. The top banner on this page really shows the color https://www.facebook.com/groups/1659976180805011/

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