The roseate spoonbill is a showstopper of the wetlands, with its bright pink feathers, long legs, and unmistakable spoon-shaped bill. Found in the coastal marshes, swamps, and mangroves of the southeastern U.S., the Caribbean, and Central and South America, these striking birds get their rosy hue from their diet—mainly small crustaceans like shrimp and other aquatic invertebrates rich in carotenoids. As they sweep their bills side to side in shallow water, they filter out tasty morsels, turning their plumage even more vibrant over time.
