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

This Roseate Spoonbill was discovered and photographed by Melanie Herring on 18 August 2012 and also photographed the same day by Jeff Ritz.

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 fewer than 30 accepted records, including several previous records from Maricopa County.

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.

18 August 2012, photo by Melanie Herring

18 August 2012, photo by Jeff Ritz

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