Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), Gilbert Water Ranch, Maricopa County

This immature Roseate Spoonbill was first seen by a number of birders, including Richard Catero, Pete Moulton, and Cindy West, as it flew into the Gilbert Water Ranch on the morning of 27 September 2008.  These photographs are by Brendon Grice from the same day. 

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. 

27 September 2008, photos by Brendon Grice

All photos are copyrighted© by the photographer