Yellow-billed Spoonbill

Green Hill Lake, Ararat, C Vic IMG_2306 20190509 - adult breeding plumage: breast plumes, bright facial colours, black
scapular plumes lying over lower back.

Notes: Large. All-white plumage; can have pale yellow wash to breast & foreneck. Long spoon-
shaped bill, bare-skinned face w. black border, legs & feet are all yellow. Iris is pale yellow or
pale blue. Breeding adult has breast plumes, often black scapular plumes, small red crescents
in front of eyes. Juvenile: no black border to dull face, black eye. Feeds in similar manner to Royal
Spoonbill). Found in a wide variety of freshwater habitats; rarely in marine environments.

Range from Morcombe & Stewart^©(modified)

Postmans Track, Lake Samsonvale, SE Qld MVI_3699 20190705 - adult breeding plumage: breast plumes, bright facial
colours, black scapular plumes lying over lower back.

Yanchep NP, Wanneroo, SW WA IMG_7351 20181012 - adult non-breeding: duller bare parts, plumes reduced.

Lake Kramen, Hattah-Kulkyne NP, NW Vic IMG_8722 20210413 - adult

Western Treatment Plant, Werribee, S Vic IMG_0922 20210101 - breeding plumage: breast plumes, bright facial colours.

Longreach Waterhole, Elliott, C NT IMG_1229 20180718 - adult with Royal Spoonbill.

Postmans Track, Lake Samsonvale, SE Qld MVI_3701 20190705 - non-breeding: no breast plumes.

Western Treatment Plant, Werribee, S Vic IMG_6638 20210329 - breeding plumage: breast plumes.