March 24, 2026

We are a Roseate Spoonbill and a Woodstork

Individually, we both seem like large birds

But when seen together the difference is striking

The Woodstork is larger by about two-thirds

Location: Orlando Wetlands, Christmas FL

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Roseate_Spoonbill/id

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Wood_Stork/overview

Photo and text © 2026 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

April 2, 2024

I am known as a Roseate Spoonbill

When I was first born, I didn't look the same

My beak used to be stubby and chunkier

But after a month, it flattened out til I looked like my name.

Location: Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge

Sources: https://fl.audubon.org/news/everglades-science-center-team-conducts-baby-spoonbill-surveys

https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Roseate_Spoonbill/overview#

Photo and text © 2024 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

If you are reading and enjoying this blog, please consider supporting me on Patreon at https://www.patreon.com/deeat8am, or purchase my current book, The Rhyming Guide to Florida Spiders (details at https://deeateightam.blogspot.com/p/rhyming-guide-to-florida-spiders-now.html). Thank you for being a reader and friend of Dee at 8 A.M.

December 16, 2023

We are known as Roseate Spoonbills

Hanging out with our friends the White Ibis

Our relationship is purely platonic

Trying to kiss would give us spondylitis.

Location: Black Point Wildlife Drive, MINWR

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Roseate_Spoonbill/id

Photo and text © 2023 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

May 24, 2023

We are a family of Spoonbills

An adult and three juvie kids

You can tell I'm the adult cause I have a bald head

But my kids wear white feathered wigs.

Location: Goodwin WMA

Sources: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Roseate_Spoonbill/photo-gallery/477944

Photo and text © 2022 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

Dee at 8 a.m. Presents: Ask David Simpson a Birding Question: Episode 3: Where can I go to see Roseate Spoonbills?

In our third episode of Ask David a Birding Question, we bring you Heather S's question: Where can I see Roseate Spoonbills?

Enjoy! And, if you would like to ask a question either post a comment here or send mail to Dee directly. We look forward to your questions.

Location: Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area, Fellsmere

March 24, 2020

Location: Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area, Fellsmere

I  am known as a Limpkin
My girlfriend the Roseate Spoonbill is quite a fox
Unfortunately due to genetics
Our love is on the rocks.

Sources: Why Can't Different Species Mate With Each Other?

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 18, 2020

Location: Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area, Fellsmere

We are Roseate Spoonbills,
We're dressed up because we are breeding
Bright pink, orange and red all signify
That lovin' we be needing.

Sources: Cornel Lab of Ornithology Neotropical Birds Online - Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja

Photo and text © 2020 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

July 13, 2019

Location: St. Augustine, St. Augustine Alligator Park

We are young Roseate Spoonbills
We live in Florida, South America and the Tropics.
Boys have slightly larger bills than girls,
But you'll only notice if you have really good optics.

Sources: NH PBS NatureWorks - Roseate Spoonbill - Platalea ajaja

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

April 30, 2019

Location: Fellsmere, Fellsmere Grade Recreation Area

I am a Roseate Spoonbill
In South America I'm a resident breeder
In Florida I breed in three areas,
And I'm a crayfish, shrimp, and crab eater.

Sources: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission - Roseate Spoonbill Platalea ajaja

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

April 10, 2019

Location: Fellsmere, St. Sebastian River Preserve State Park

I am a Roseate Spoonbill
This is how I feed:
I swing my beak side-to-side in the water
Trying to find a treat.

Sources: Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute - Roseate Spoonbill 

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

February 9, 2019

Location: Titusville, Blackpoint Wildlife Drive

We are two Roseate Spoonbills
We nearly went extinct because of plumage hunters.
Today the poultry industry
Provides feathers for decorations and dusters.

Sources: The ethics of wearing feathers: it's not just live-plucking that's a problem

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 24, 2019

Location: Fellsmere, Goodwin WMA

I am a Roseate Spoonbill
It's breeding time of year again
Dee will take hundreds of pictures of me,
On that you can depend.

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 23, 2019

Location: Fellmere, T.M. Goodwin WMA

I am a Cattle Egret
On an island with a few of my friends.
Including a Roseate Spoonbill
And some Anhingas on the left end.

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

April 17, 2018

Location: Fellsmere, Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area

We are Roseate Spoonbills,
We've formed our own rock band
This is the cover of our first album,
It's called "We Use Our Beak as a Hand"

We really do use our beak as a hand,
That is true of birds of all classes
But Dee gets lots of "likes" for  Spoons',
We think she is pandering to the masses...

 (Ok, this is probably my last Roseate picture till next breeding season. But honestly who doesn't love a Roseate Spoonbill picture? ) 

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

April 15, 2018

Location: Fellsmere, Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area

Two Spoonbills and an Anhiga
Roosting in a tree.
Mom Spoonbill is feeding the baby
The Anhinga's just being neighborly.

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

April 9, 2018

Location: Fellsmere, Goodwin Waterfowl Management Area

I am a Roseate Spoonbill.
You can tell I'm younger cause I'm very pale pink
As I get older my colors get bolder
My color is influenced by food such as shrimp.

Sources: Cornell Lab - Roseate Spoonbill 

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

March 4, 2018

Location: Fellsmere, Goodwin Wildlife Management Area

Twas a tale of star crossed lovers
And a warning they wouldn’t heed
That resulted in this abomination -
A Spoonbill-Cattle Egret cross breed.

(Ok, I admit I'm torn - I strive to keep this blog entertaining but scientifically accurate. But occassionally I come home with a photo and I just have to go with the cheap joke :-)

Photo and text © 2018 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 31, 2018

Location: Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

I am a Roseate Spoonbill
One of six spoonbill species world-wide.
I'm the only one found in America,
And the only one who's not boring and white.

(Happy birthday wishes going out today to my big sistah Shirley, this is her favorite bird.)

Sources: Birds of North America - Roseate Spoonbill

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

January 28, 2018

Location: Blackpoint Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge

Spoonbills and Ibis are tactile feeders,
They feel around for something to grab.
Tricolored Herons are visual feeders,
They patiently look for something to stab.

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson

April 9, 2017

Location: Fellsmere, Goodwin WMA

I'm an immature Roseate Spoonbill,
Shown here with my mom.
My wings aren't quite as bright as hers yet,
But you can tell she's where I got my good looks from.

Photo and text © 2017 Dee Fairbanks Simpson