Roseate spoonbills are an eye-catching breed of bird due to their colorful plumage and spoon-shaped bills. You may be surprised to learn these birds aren’t born with their signature bills. Over the course of six weeks following a spoonbill’s birth, its bill flattens out, changes into a spoon-like shape and grows to its full size. These spoons come in handy when it’s dinner time. The birds stick their bills underwater and move them back and forth, capturing some tasty treats. Speaking of dinner, like flamingos, roseate spoonbill’s coloring comes from their diet (think shrimp). And here’s a fun fact – a group of roseate spoonbills is called a bowl.

In the late 19th century, roseate spoonbills faced extinction in North America due to the popularity of their feathers for use in hats, fans and screens. Groups like the National Audubon Society stepped in and established preserves for the birds. They became a protected species in the 1940s. The efforts were so successful that they no longer require this special status.