Spoonbills (Ciconiiformes)

Royal Spoonbill

Royal Spoonbill

Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia) (Kotuku-ngutupapa)

Seasonal. This locally common native which breeds on nearby Green island is regularly seen around the lagoons feeding by sweeping its long spoon shaped bill from side to side It is a large elegant white bird with a plume of loose white feathers on its neck and head.