Black-faced Spoonbill

Platalea minor

Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) — Herons, Pelicans & Ibises of Europe & Northern Asia.

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The Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) is a member of the Threskiornithidae family found in Europe & Northern Asia. Adults weigh 1.2 kg. The IUCN Red List lists it as Vulnerable.

Conservation status

IUCN Red List

VU Vulnerable

Facing a high risk of extinction in the wild.

Where it fits

Class Aves
Order Pelecaniformes
Family Threskiornithidae Ibises, Spoonbills
Genus Platalea
Species minor

Where it lives

Northeastern Russia, Korean Pen. and northeastern China

Europe & Northern Asia

Quick facts

Weight: 1.2 kg
Diet: Aquatic hunters
Family: Threskiornithidae
Order: Pelecaniformes
Habitat: Wetland, lake & coast

How to identify

Similar birds

Least Concern

Biology & behaviour

Diet

The Black-faced Spoonbill hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Behaviour

A bird of coastal habitats, it forages mainly on the ground.

Migration

The Black-faced Spoonbill is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

The Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) belongs to the Threskiornithidae family of the order Pelecaniformes. It is found across Europe & Northern Asia. Its distribution covers PAL ne Russia, Korean Pen. and ne China.

It is a very large bird. Adults weighs around 1.2 kg, with a wing length of about 35.7 cm and a tail of around 10 cm.

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern. Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

Its mapped global range covers an estimated 15,000 km² — a relatively restricted global range.

Frequently asked questions

How big is the Black-faced Spoonbill?

The Black-faced Spoonbill is a very large bird that weighs around 1.2 kg.

Where does the Black-faced Spoonbill live?

The Black-faced Spoonbill is found across Europe & Northern Asia with a range covering PAL ne Russia, Korean Pen. and ne China, where it is associated with wetlands, lakes and other open water.

What family does the Black-faced Spoonbill belong to?

The Black-faced Spoonbill (Platalea minor) belongs to the Threskiornithidae family, in the order Pelecaniformes.

What does the Black-faced Spoonbill eat?

The Black-faced Spoonbill hunts aquatic prey such as fish and aquatic invertebrates.

Does the Black-faced Spoonbill migrate?

The Black-faced Spoonbill is partially migratory: some populations move with the seasons while others stay resident year-round.

Is the Black-faced Spoonbill endangered?

It is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is a focus of conservation concern Vulnerable species face a high risk of extinction in the wild if pressures continue.

How large is the Black-faced Spoonbill's range?

The Black-faced Spoonbill has a mapped global range of about 15,000 km².