In the shallow tidal flats and quiet estuaries of East Asia, this pale sentinel sweeps the water with slow, deliberate grace. It feeds by swinging its spoon-shaped bill side to side, detecting fish, shrimp, and crustaceans by touch rather than sight. What makes it extraordinary is its dependence on fragile coastal wetlands — migrating vast distances between breeding and wintering grounds, it reflects the health of shorelines shaped by tide and time. Serene in motion, yet a vital indicator of vanishing waters.
Black-faced Spoonbill 👇
