Spoonbill Skull

The spoonbill is a collective term for six species of long legged wading birds, and is the national bird of the Netherlands. Mainly feeds on small vertebrates and invertebrates such as shrimp, crabs, aquatic insects, insect larvae, worms, crustaceans, mollusks, frogs, tadpoles, lizards, small fish, and occasionally small amounts of plant-based food. Spoonbirds often move in groups, and occasionally there are individuals who move alone. Rest often spreads out in a straight line by the water's edge. Standing still for a long time, then flying to another place after being startled. Sexually alert and intimidating, the wings flutter rapidly during flight, with an average of about 186 beats per minute. Flying is often arranged in sparse single rows or in a wave like diagonal flight.