The Roseate Spoonbill is a large, pink wading bird with a distinctive spoon-shaped bill, typically found in coastal wetlands of the southeastern U.S., Mexico, and Central/South America. In Arizona, it is a rare and irregular visitor, with most records involving juvenile or non-breeding individuals that have wandered far from their usual range, often after storms or unusual weather patterns. These birds are occasionally spotted in southern Arizona and the Phoenix area, with notable sightings at locations such as Yuma, Canoa Ranch near Green Valley, and the Gilbert Water Ranch. One individual, nicknamed “Rosie,” remained at the Gilbert site for nearly two years—an exceptional stay for the species in the state. Roseate Spoonbills forage by sweeping their bill side to side through shallow water, often in the company of egrets and other waders. Adults have deeper pink plumage with a bare greenish-yellow head, while juveniles are paler and fully feathered on the head.
