Yellow-billed Spoonbill

76-92 cm; span c. 1.3 m. Unlike Royal, white plumage often soiled; flattened spoon-bill dull yellow to flesh-white; legs similar (but often muddy). Breeding Plumage: fine black line edges the pale grey facial skin; breast plumes longer; sparse dark lacelike plumes from inner wings. Non-breeding: lacks plumes. Mostly solitary: unlike Royal, seeks out small, isolated fresh waters. Forms autumn-winter companies of 50+, often including a few Royals. Forages in muddy water, scything submerged bill-tips from side to side more slowly than Royal; rests on banks of dams or in dead trees; occasionally forages in dry grassland. Flies steadily or with alternate shallow wingbeats and glides; silhouette rather flat, neck inclined upwards, legs extended; occasionally soars high.