Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), Glendale Recharge Ponds, Maricopa County

This Roseate Spoonbill was discovered by Ken and Linda Bielek and photographed by Jeff Ritz and David Vander Pluym on 19 November 2010.

This is an immature because it lacks the red shoulders of an adult. It is a first year bird because of the fully feathered head. Second year birds also lack the red shoulders of adults, but have the bald forehead typical of adults and are usually brighter pink. Adult plumage is acquired in the third year.

Although considered a regular visitor to the state through the 1970's, it has been much rarer and less regular since, probably associated with the decline of waterbird habitat in the Colorado River Delta in nearby Mexico. There are about 25 accepted records, including several previous records from Maricopa County.

19 November 2010, photo by Jeff Ritz

19 November 2010, photo by David Vander Pluym

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