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Geoff J Mckay
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Adult Royal Spoonbill
Adult Royal Spoonbill

Another shot of the Spoonbill that was in my previous post flic.kr/p/2n6jT7T

The stately royal spoonbill is one of six spoonbill species worldwide, and the only one that breeds in New Zealand. This large white waterbird was first recorded in New Zealand at Castlepoint in 1861. Sightings increased through the 1900s, with breeding first recorded next to the white heron colony at Okarito, south Westland, in 1949. Since then it has successfully colonised New Zealand from Australia and is now widespread, breeding at multiple sites on both main islands, and dispersing to coastal sites across the country after the breeding season. In flight, birds hold their neck outstretched and trail legs behind, looking rather awkward, like a "Dr Seuss" cartoon bird. Their closest relatives are the ibises. A large, bulky, long-legged waterbird with white plumage and black spoon-shaped bill, facial skin, legs and feet. During the breeding season, adults grow distinctive long white crest feathers on the back of the head or nape, up to 20 cm long in males. The crest is raised during mating displays revealing pink skin beneath. The bill is 136 - 220 mm long; the wingspan is circa 120 cm. Breeding birds have a creamy-yellow breast, a yellow patch above each eye, and a red patch in the middle of the forehead in front of the crest feathers. Females are slightly smaller than males, with shorter legs and bill. Outside the breeding season the crest feathers are smaller and the rest of the plumage often appears soiled. Juveniles resemble non-breeding adults but are slightly smaller with a shorter bill, dark tips to the main flight feathers, and lack a crest and coloured face patches. When wading in shallow water it often submerges the bill and repeatedly sweeps it in a wide arc in search of prey. nzbirdsonline.org.nz/species/royal-spoonbill

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Taken on: March 2, 2022
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Camera: Sony ILCE-7RM4, f/6.3, 1/3200 sec, 600mm, ISO 2500 (more info) (hide info)
Camera: Sony ILCE-7RM4
Lens: FE 200-600mm F5.6-6.3 G OSS
Aperture: f/6.3
Exposure Time: 1/3200 sec
Focal Length: 600mm
ISO: 2500
Exposure Bias: -1 EV
Flash: Off, Did not fire
Exposure Program: Manual
Exposure Mode: Manual
Metering Mode: Multi-segment
White Balance: Auto
Saturation: Low
Sharpness: Hard
Color Space: Uncalibrated
Software: Capture One 22 Windows
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Adult Royal Spoonbill

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