Eurasian Spoonbill

Eurasian Spoonbills in flight over the Alentejo in Portugal.

When I posted a shot of Flamingo from Portugal, someone commented that it was not pink. That is because, at least in winter in Southern Europe, the Flamingos do not get enough shrimp in their diet to turn the feathers pink. I suspect it is the same with the Eurasian Spoonbill and our (here in the US) close relative the Roseate Spoonbill. Our Roseates vary in pinkness over the season with their diet. I have to think the Eurasian Spoonbill eats very little shrimp, or shrimp of another kind, without the pigment in the shell. (The Collins Guide says they eat mollusks, crustaceans, and small fish.) This small flock was flying over the steppe hills between Castro Verde and Mértola in the Alentejo of Southern Portugal. Sony RX10iv at 600mm. Program mode. 1/1000th @ f7.1 @ f4. Processed in Photoshop Express.

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