BACKYARD BIRDING IN MERIDA, YUCATAN AND BEYOND – PHOTO ESSAY: PRETTY IN PINK, ROSEATE SPOONBILL

Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), Espátula Rosada (Spanish)

Two notes:

1.Uncommon in birds, the stunning pink colors of the Roseate Spoonbill are derived from its diet especially with red carotenoid pigments in algae found in crustaceans and other shellfish. Plus the spoonbill can also make its own red pigments by chemically changing yellow pigments found in its diet.

2.What may look like a kneecap on its leg is actually its “ankle”.

PRETTY IN PINK

Cotton candy softness

Pink blush.

Bubble gum flight

Ruby red ballet slippers

Fine-feathered elegance

Flight of fancy pink

Pastel pink clouds

Rose petal angel wings

Pink fades

DISCLAIMER: REFERENCES REALLY DON’T AGREE ABOUT THIS SPECIES.

National Geographic Bird Coloration, Sal a Pajarear Yucatan, Birds and Reserves of Yucatan, A Guide to the Birds of Mexico and Northern Central America

Cherie Pittillo, “nature inspired”, zoologist, wildlife photographer, and author, explores nature everywhere she goes. She’s identified 53 bird species in her Merida, Yucatan backyard view. Her column, published on the 7th and 21st of each month features anecdotes about birding in Merida, Yucatan and beyond. Contact: all4birdies@gmail.com  All rights reserved, © Cherie Pittillo.