The Royal Spoonbill, Black-billed SpoonbillPlatalea regia, also known as the occurs in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands in Australia, New Zealand, INdonesia, Papa New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. The Royal Spoonbill lives in wetlands and feeds on crustaceans, fish and small insects by sweeping its bill from side to side. It always flies with its head extended. Widespread throughout its large range, the Royal Spoonbill is evaluated as Least Concern on the IUCN Red list of Threatened Species.
The Royal Spoonbill has two distinctive yellow-orange wattles above the eyes.
These photos were taken at the White Heron Colony at Okarito, NZ.