Roseate Spoonbill (Ajaia ajaja)
Pronunciation guide: RO-zee-et SPOON-bill Their magnificent colors glow almost magenta in the dawn light, as they glide in from their roosts on Seahorse Key to feed along the flats. Usually seen in groups of three or four birds, the Roseate Spoonbill is a common sight in Cedar Key during spring and summer. The lucky birder is delighted to spot larger groups feasting in the shallows at low tide or roosting in low bushes along our shorelines. We marvel at their colors and their elegance. 
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Often mistaken for flamingos (which aren't found in Cedar Key), the pink and white Roseate Spoonbill is named for its unusual, long, spoon-shaped bill. Spoonbills feed by inserting their partially open bill in shallow water and "sweeping" side-to-side to scare up their meal. Once their prey touches the sensitive bill, it snaps shut with a "clack" around the meal. They spend much of their day feeding on shrimp, small crabs, small fish, and aquatic insects. The crustaceans in their diet provide a protein called beta keratin, which is primarily responsible for the pink coloration of the Spoonbill.
"Rosies" are about two and one half feet tall and have a wingspan of about four feet. The adults have a white neck and back with multi-shaded pink wings. The pink feathers deepen with age to an almost electric shade. Beware viewing the spoonbill through binoculars can be rather startling! With their red eyes, unfeathered greenish white head, and red legs, spoonbills have a reptilian appearance that is in conflict with the delicate colors of their feathering!
Spoonbills are gregarious birds, typically seen feeding with other wading birds such as Snowy Egrets, Ibis, Wood Storks, and Great Egrets. In fact, it's not uncommon to see a lone Rosie - separated from its buddies - tagging along in the "V" formation of White Ibis for company, as they return to roost for the evening. Unlike some of their more argumentative companions, Rosies are typically polite to their neighbors, and mind their manners while fishing. They seem to be somewhat shy birds, usually standing a bit outside of the crowd, and they are often the first to leave the party.
With an estimated 408 nesting pairs in South Florida (1999 count by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission), the Roseate Spoonbill is considered a "Species of Special Concern" in Florida. Its unique bill requires water in which to hunt for food. It cannot probe the mud flats and marsh grass like its stiletto-beaked neighbors the Herons and Egrets. As a result, research has shown that the Rosie is quite sensitive to changes in water management. In particular, changes in salinity levels affects the abundance of their food supply.
Links for more information:
National Park Service
http://www.nps.gov/ever/eco/spoonbil.htm
Smith Oaks Bird Sanctuary
http://www.saltgrassflats.com/birds/roseate_spoonbill.html
USGS Study of Roseate Spoonbills and Hydrologic Restoration
http://cars.er.usgs.gov/sofla/Spoonbills/spoonbills.html | 
