June 2002
Florida Keys Wild Bird Center

Roseate Spoonbill, , "Rosy"
The spatulate bill is swept side to side in muddy murky water to feel for their prey which consists of invertebrates and small fish
Their pinkish color is a result of their diet.  They consume a lot of shrimp that are high in carotene.  Shrimps are filter feeders which filter
out algae, which are high in beta carotene (vitamin A), from the water media.
Many people have mistaken spoonbills for flamingos hence the myth that they are actually found naturally in Florida.