Yellow-billed Spoonbill

A large, white waterbird with a yellow face and spoon-shaped bill, and yellow legs and feet. During breeding season, the facial skin is outlined in black, the lacy outer wing plumes are tipped black and there are long hackles on its upper breast. Out of breeding, the face is yellow with no black outline and the lacy plumes and hackles are reduced or absent. Young birds are similar to adults but have black markings on the inner flight feathers (tertials). It is most often seen wading slowly in shallow waters, sweeping its bill from side to side to feed. It feeds on aquatic insects and their larvae, using its bill to sweep shallow waters for prey. Once food is caught, it lifts its bill up and lets the items slide down its throat.