Opening weekend for Erb Discovery Trails is expected to be busy May 22–25. Pre-purchased tickets and member reservations are strongly encouraged. Zoo parking may fill early. Learn More

African Spoonbill

(Platalea alba)

African spoonbills often pilfer each other’s belongings then have loud squawking “arguments” about it. Despite these squabbles, many African spoonbills have been successfully reared at the Detroit Zoo, making the Zoo’s breeding program one of the most productive spoonbill propagation programs in the country.

On Habitat

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Quick Facts

Habitat: African Forest

Class: Birds

Conservation Status: Least concern

Size: 18 to 20 inches

Weight: 4.5 pounds

Median life expectancy: 25 to 30 years

Diet: Mainly fish and small crustaceans

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