Spoonbill

Spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia), a large wading bird allied to the ibis and the stork, and named from the spoon-like enlargement of the tip of the bill. It was formerly native in the fen country but now occurs only as a visitor. Holland is its nearest breeding-place, but it is common over Northern Europe. The length is about 30 inches; the plumage is white with a pinkish tinge, and the bill and legs are black. The flesh is valued for the table. The Roseate Spoonbill (P. ajaja), from Central America, differs little from the common species except in its plumage.