All three birds are young here.
On the left is a juvenile Tricolored Heron. They breed right around this spot so not surprising to see him.
The Roseate Spoonbills are of different ages, again both young. The Spoonbill in the center will be a full adult next year. The right hand bird is a first year young. Look close you can see the difference in their head. Spoonbills take 3 years to reach breeding age.
The young bird on the right, and others like him were the first clues that the Spoonbill were breeding in the ACE Basin. The second clue was easier, active nests.
These pink Spoonbill are so amazing. Anita
Breeding age adults, not shown here, are an acquired taste. Very strange looking.
The middle one does look more mature 😊. Nice shot!
Thanks. The middle one is losing the head feathers, breeding adults are bald,
Didn’t know that about spoons, something new!
First breeding known north of Florida. In the past the closest has been around St. Augustine.