Whilst it is not unusual to see one or two Spoonbills on our evening strolls, we are not usually blessed with a whole runcible in the saltpans to the west of Olhão. Just occasionally though one becomes two, then four and then a canteen or as I prefer for their group description ‘a runcible’!
Their Latin name is Platalea leucorodia, and whilst their numbers are holding steady in this part of Europe I’ve read somewhere they are in slow decline elsewhere in Europe thanks to wetland reclamation, human disturbance and pollution. However they are not considered to be at risk, well not yet anyway.
As might be expected with its highly unusual and distinctive beak it is a specialised eater, mainly feeding in shallow waters of fairly even depth, and they apparently prefer a slow current or gentle tidal change. They sweep their beak from side to side as they move through the water enjoying insects, crustaceans and even small fish. Although occasionally you will see one dart after something.
They captivated me for quite a while as these are only a tiny selection of the photographs I took of them that evening. Fortunately I wasn’t too focused on them as otherwise I would have missed the spectacle in the sky right behind me. Not only is patience and quiet a virtue when birding, you also need eyes everywhere!
I’ve learnt a new collective noun – a runcible, I like that. It’s up there with a dazzle of zebra!
Ooh they certainly dazzle! Great noun for them 😁
I’ve never seen spoonbills, they’re great, and the bills lok like a bg smile 🙂
Oh I love that description. Explains why I like them so much 😁
Wow, great pictures!
Thank you 😀 we were so lucky to be in the right place at exactly the right moment and have such fabulous light.
What beautiful sights Becky. I have never seen a Spoonbill and here you have dozens of them!
You need to book that flight and come and join us!!
Great photos – I’ve never ever seen one spoonbill so how lucky you were to see all those 🙂
We were indeed 😊
Very runcibulous!
Love it!
Oh wonders. I have never seen more than two or three Spoonbills. Fabulous photos Becky 😀😀
Thanks Brian. Only happens occasionally but when it does😁
Lucky to be there 🙂
Incredibly fortunate. Last time it happened I was so amazed I forgot to photograph them!!!
Oh no. I have done that when I thought that movement would scare the birds away.
Nice photos in the afternoon light. Runcible is an interesting collective noun for spoonbills. Did the word come about after Edward Lear made it up for his poem?
It’s a great noun isn’t it. Must have done as as you say he invented the word.
Opps,they are flams!
We do really follow your photos…..