Spoonbill, a family of birds, Plataleidae, allied to the Ibibidae, and more distantly to the storks, and distinguished by the remarkable form of the bill, which is long, flat, broad throughout its whole length, and much dilated in a spoon-like form at the tip. The species are not numerous, but are widely distributed; the birds are, however, becoming scarce owing to the drainage of their native haunts. The only European species is the White
Spoonbill (P. leucorodia), at one time a resident in Britain, but now only a visitor. This bird was known as the Shovelard or Shovelar, while the bird now known as the Shoveler was then called the Spoonbill or Spoonbilled Duck. In northern Europe it is uncommon; it breeds in Holland, in the south of Spain, and the Black Sea district. Eastward in summer it ranges to India, Ceylon, and northern China; it is resident in North Africa. In South Africa it is represented by another species, P. tenuirostris or cristata. It is gregarious, but its nesting habits vary in different countries; in Holland the nests are made of reeds, and placed on the mud among rushes; in Slavonia on the submerged branches of willows; and in India on trees. It is about 32 inches long. Its colour is white, slightly tinged with pink; the bill and legs are black. A curious convolution of the windpipe, in the form of a figure 8, is found on dissection in the adult spoonbill, but does not exist in the young. The flesh of the spoonbill is said to be tender and of good flavour. The spoonbill is easily tamed, is quiet and inoffensive, and feeds readily on any offal. The Roseate Spoonbill (P. ajaja) is an American species, and the only one; very abundant within the tropics, and found in the most southern parts of the United States. It is nearly equal in size to the White Spoonbill, which it resembles in its habits. It is a beautiful bird, with plumage of a fine rose-colour, of which the tint is deepest on the wings; the tail-coverts are crimson. Two species (P. regia or melanorhynchus and P. flavipes) are found in Australia.