There is just a little ‘pink’ on this young bird. He also had a full ‘feather’ head, adults are almost bald.
I found this one off at the edges of big flock of mixed wading birds. The others were all grouped together, this one was keeping his distance.
There is safety in numbers, but competition for food. My guess is food was more important.
What a lovely soft pink these Little Spoonbills are. Our Royal Spoonbills in Australia are white with very dark metallic-looking bills. What fun it is to see your birds that are so similar to ones I have photographed here in Melbourne, Australia.
Older ones, and breeding time, are deeper pink than Flamingos and have touches of orange. If you search here on the work ‘spoonbill’ you will find vivid colors.
BTW, we also have a large flock of Black Swans in an inland lake and swamp area here.