Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), Benson STP, Cochise Co, AZ, Cochise County

This Roseate Spoonbill was discovered by Bob Behrstock, Saul and Irene Grysman and photographed by Saul Grysman on 30 July 2013.

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.

Unmistakable large pink water birds with a spatulate bill.  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.

30 July 2013, photo by (c) Saul Grysman

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