Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), Aguirre Lake area, Buenos Aires NWR, Pima County

These Roseate Spoonbills were found and photographed by Charles Corson on 09 September 2017 and photographed by Dennis Widman on 19 September 2017

Flock of five birds seen flying over the refuge at Aguirre Lake and later one lone spoonbill was photographed on Grebe Pond.

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. However, an increase in records in recent years led the ABC to remove this species from the Review List in 2014.

Unmistakable large pink water birds with a spatulate bill. This 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.

09 September 2017, photo by Charles Corson

19 September 2017, photo by Dennis Widman

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