A couple of weeks ago, I went outside to feed the mallards, and noticed a different species of waterfowl than I’d seen before.
I immediately texted a picture to Marshall with a note that said: “I’ve never seen this type bird here before”.
He replied that it he had researched and that he believed it to be a roseated spoonbill, very rarely seen in our area. You have to wonder how that tiny head carries the weight of that huge bill.
This is apparently an immature one; they become the color of flamingoes when fully matured. It appears to be posing for me in this next picture.
It didn’t seem to mind me taking photos during its lunch, as long as I didn’t get TOO close:
I’m not sure how long this one will be in our area, but seeing it always makes me smile, and I hope it sticks around for a while.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 
these are absolutely beautiful
Another blogging friend of mine who lives near Houston, TX on the gulf just posted yesterday in her blog about these pretty creatures that frequent her area.
Cindy, my niece lives in Texas (used to live really near and work in Houston. She told me that they see them often in the Galveston area, too.
Hubby’s brother and family live in the Houston area too and I’m sure they’ve seen them. Their color is really pretty when they’re mature.
Here’s the link to my friend’s blog: http://lindaleinen.com/2023/07/25/its-a-pool-party/
What fun! This is a young one. Their color depends on their diet rather than age; it comes primarily from the shrimp and other crustaceans they eat. Even mature ones will be a lighter pink if their diet’s changed. The other sign of immaturity is the feathers on this one’s head. As they age, they lose those feathers and become the slightly weird-looking ‘bald’ birds we see.
Thanks for the info. I thought I’d read that they become darker as they age. We find it strange that we just have ONE, but we enjoy see it!
Glad you did a post on this ‘visitor’ … it is really cool to see it – I know I had never seen one before !
Love that bill…..and the delicate shade of pink the youngster is – I imagine it’s rather stunning when it gets really PINK like a flamingo!
Pam
So glad you entered the picture of the beautiful bird in the Smithfield Times contest. I tried to vote for you every day. Hope you win!!!!! I love that picture.
Love watching birds and have never seen this one around here. They sure know that your spot is a friendly one. Fascinating!