African Spoonbill

Q: What are the chances of seeing an African Spoonbill in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary?

Likely. About 40% of wildlife watchers report an African Spoonbill sighting in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary on a given day, based on 68 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 62nd most-seen of the 173 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 80%, and over a week to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.

Q: When is the best time to see an African Spoonbill in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary?

March and April. In those months about 50% of wildlife watchers report an African Spoonbill in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary on a given day, against about 40% in November to February, the lowest months. Those are among Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary's driest months, with almost no rain against 55 mm in August. May to October have too few records to rate.

Q: What time of day is best to see an African Spoonbill?

Between 9 am and noon. Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most African Spoonbill sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.

Q: Is Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary the best place to see an African Spoonbill?

5th of 40. Of the 40 parks where we can rate African Spoonbill sightings, Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary ranks 5th at about 40%. The best odds are in Lake Nakuru National Park (Kenya, about 60%), Amboseli National Park (Kenya, about 50%) and Nairobi National Park (Kenya, about 40%). All parks ranked.

Q: Where does the African Spoonbill sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records. It is estimated from how often the African Spoonbill is recorded against all the birds logged in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (68 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

Platalea alba

Silhouette: Andy Wilson · PhyloPic

LCLeast ConcernNTVUENCR

KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
PhylumChordata (Chordates)
ClassAves (Birds)
OrderPelecaniformes (Pelicans, Herons, Ibises, and Allies)
FamilyThreskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
GenusPlatalea (Spoonbills)
SpeciesPlatalea alba (African Spoonbill)

Daily sighting probability ~40% · Likely

at Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary

In 3 days ~80% in a week >90%

68 Verified sightings at Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary From 2019 to 2026

7,930 In all 40 parks

March Best month

☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted

About the African Spoonbill

The African spoonbill (Platalea alba) is a long-legged wading bird of the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae. The species is widespread across Africa and Madagascar, including Botswana, Kenya, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The species belongs to the genus Platalea, which also includes species such as the Black-faced spoonbill, Eurasian spoonbill, and Roseate spoonbill.

The African spoonbill lives in marshy wetlands with some open shallow water and nests in colonies in trees or reedbeds. They usually don't share colonies with storks or herons. They feed by moving its flat bill side to side throughout shallow water, snapping up fish, molluscs, amphibians, crustaceans, and insects when detected. Long legs and thin, pointed toes enable it to walk easily through varying depths of water. Juveniles are born with shorter bills that gradually develop into the species' unique spoon-shaped form as they mature.

The African spoonbill is almost unmistakable through most of its range. The breeding bird is all white except for its red legs and face and long grey spatulate bill. It has no crest, unlike the common spoonbill. Immature birds lack the red face...

Wikipedia →

Sounds

Call0:26

South Africa · 2020

Call0:56

South Africa · 2017

Call0:15

South Africa · 2020

Global Distribution

Where it is recorded most Our parks where it lives Our cities where it livesIn captivity: 75 zoos & centres

Parks Where Found

#	Park	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Lake Nakuru National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~60%
2	Amboseli National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~50%
3	Nairobi National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~40%
4	Chobe National Park	🇧🇼 Botswana	~40%
5	Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary	🇸🇳 Senegal	~40%
6	Gonarezhou National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	~40%
7	South Luangwa National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	~30%
8	West Coast National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~30%
9	Saloum Delta National Park	🇸🇳 Senegal	~30%
10	Lower Zambezi National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	~30%
11	Moremi Game Reserve	🇧🇼 Botswana	~30%
12	Liwonde National Park	🇲🇼 Malawi	~20%
13	Ngorongoro Conservation Area	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~20%
14	Mana Pools National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	~20%
15	Pilanesberg National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~20%
16	Tsavo East National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	~20%
17	De Hoop Nature Reserve	🇿🇦 South Africa	~20%
18	Lake Manyara National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~20%
19	Hwange National Park	🇿🇼 Zimbabwe	~20%
20	Gorongosa National Park	🇲🇿 Mozambique	~10%
21	Kruger National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~10%
22	Garden Route National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~10%
23	iSimangaliso Wetland Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~10%
24	Addo Elephant National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	~10%
25	Kafue National Park	🇿🇲 Zambia	~10%
26	Akagera National Park	🇷🇼 Rwanda	~10%
27	Arusha National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~10%
28	uMkhuze Game Reserve	🇿🇦 South Africa	~10%
29	Tarangire National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~10%
30	Tsavo West National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	<5%
31	Samburu National Reserve	🇰🇪 Kenya	<5%
32	Queen Elizabeth National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	<5%
33	Awash National Park	🇪🇹 Ethiopia	<5%
34	Murchison Falls National Park	🇺🇬 Uganda	<5%
35	Virunga National Park	🇨🇩 Democratic Republic of the Congo	<5%
36	Serengeti National Park	🇹🇿 Tanzania	<5%
37	Aberdare National Park	🇰🇪 Kenya	<5%
38	Masai Mara National Reserve	🇰🇪 Kenya	<5%
39	Table Mountain National Park	🇿🇦 South Africa	<5%
40	Etosha National Park	🇳🇦 Namibia	<5%

Cities Where Found

#	City	Country	Daily sighting probability
1	Dar es-Salaam	🇹🇿 Tanzania	~20%
2	Durban	🇿🇦 South Africa	~10%
3	Kigali	🇷🇼 Rwanda	~10%
4	Serrekunda	🇬🇲 Gambia	~10%
5	Cape Town	🇿🇦 South Africa	~10%
6	Mombasa	🇰🇪 Kenya	<5%
7	Nairobi	🇰🇪 Kenya	<5%
8	Johannesburg	🇿🇦 South Africa	<5%
9	Kampala	🇺🇬 Uganda	<5%

Zoos & Centres Where Found

#	Zoo / Centre	Country
1	Disney's Animal Kingdom	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
2	San Diego Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
3	Prague Zoo	🇨🇿 Czechia	In captivity
4	ZooParc de Beauval	🇫🇷 France	In captivity
5	Dresden Zoo	🇩🇪 Germany	In captivity
6	Paris Zoological Park	🇫🇷 France	In captivity
7	Zoo Pilsen	🇨🇿 Czechia	In captivity
8	Réserve africaine de Sigean	🇫🇷 France	In captivity
9	Parc des oiseaux	🇫🇷 France	In captivity
10	Aquarium du palais de la Porte Dorée	🇫🇷 France	In captivity
11	Vinpearl Safari	🇻🇳 Vietnam	In captivity
12	San Diego Zoo Safari Park	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
13	Safaripark Beekse Bergen	🇳🇱 Netherlands	In captivity
14	Toronto Zoo	🇨🇦 Canada	In captivity
15	Safari West	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
16	Bronx Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
17	Bratislava Zoo	🇸🇰 Slovakia	In captivity
18	Parc zoologique de Lisieux	🇫🇷 France	In captivity
19	Banham Zoo	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	In captivity
20	Zoo and Botanical Garden of Branféré	🇫🇷 France	In captivity
21	Johannesburg Zoo	🇿🇦 South Africa	In captivity
22	Oakland Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
23	Phoenix Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
24	The Maryland Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
25	Detroit Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
26	Jacksonville Zoo and Gardens	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
27	Selwo Aventura	🇪🇸 Spain	In captivity
28	Luisenpark	🇩🇪 Germany	In captivity
29	Warsaw Zoo	🇵🇱 Poland	In captivity
30	Oasis Park	🇪🇸 Spain	In captivity
31	Dierenpark Hoenderdaell	🇳🇱 Netherlands	In captivity
32	Wrocław Zoological Garden	🇵🇱 Poland	In captivity
33	Calgary Zoo	🇨🇦 Canada	In captivity
34	Temaikén	🇦🇷 Argentina	In captivity
35	Moody Gardens	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
36	National Zoo of Malaysia	🇲🇾 Malaysia	In captivity
37	ZooTampa	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
38	Oregon Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
39	Houston Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
40	Neo Park Okinawa	🇯🇵 Japan	In captivity
41	Cameron Park Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
42	Cologne Zoological Garden	🇩🇪 Germany	In captivity
43	Honolulu Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
44	Łódź Zoo	🇵🇱 Poland	In captivity
45	Krakow Zoo	🇵🇱 Poland	In captivity
46	Ueno Zoo	🇯🇵 Japan	In captivity
47	Lincoln Park Zoo	🇺🇸 United States	In captivity
48	Seville Zoo	🇪🇸 Spain	In captivity
49	Valencia Bioparc	🇪🇸 Spain	In captivity
50	Birdworld	🇬🇧 United Kingdom	In captivity

Show all 50 Show fewer

Closest Relatives at Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary

Platalea leucorodia

Daily sighting probability ~70% · Very likely

Plegadis falcinellus

Daily sighting probability ~60% · Likely

Threskiornis aethiopicus

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Ardea cinerea

Daily sighting probability ~80% · Very likely

Pelecanus onocrotalus

Daily sighting probability ~80% · Very likely

Ardeola ralloides

Daily sighting probability ~80% · Very likely

Ardea alba

Daily sighting probability ~70% · Very likely

Egretta garzetta

Daily sighting probability ~70% · Very likely

Egretta ardesiaca

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Nycticorax nycticorax

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Ardea purpurea

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely

Bubulcus ibis

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible

See all 12 relatives Show fewer

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing an African Spoonbill in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary?

Likely

About 40% of wildlife watchers report an African Spoonbill sighting in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary on a given day, based on 68 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data from 2019 to 2026. It is the 62nd most-seen of the 173 birds we can rate there. Over three days the chance rises to about 80%, and over a week to over 90%, if each day is a fresh chance.

When is the best time to see an African Spoonbill in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary?

March and April

In those months about 50% of wildlife watchers report an African Spoonbill in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary on a given day, against about 40% in November to February, the lowest months. Those are among Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary's driest months, with almost no rain against 55 mm in August. May to October have too few records to rate.

What time of day is best to see an African Spoonbill?

Between 9 am and noon

Across all the parks we cover, that three-hour window holds the most African Spoonbill sightings with a recorded time, and about 9 in 10 of them come between 6 am and 6 pm: it is a daytime animal.

Is Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary the best place to see an African Spoonbill?

5th of 40

Of the 40 parks where we can rate African Spoonbill sightings, Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary ranks 5th at about 40%. The best odds are in Lake Nakuru National Park (Kenya, about 60%), Amboseli National Park (Kenya, about 50%) and Nairobi National Park (Kenya, about 40%). All parks ranked.

Where does the African Spoonbill sighting chance come from?

GBIF citizen-science records

It is estimated from how often the African Spoonbill is recorded against all the birds logged in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary (68 verified sightings from 2019 to 2026), calibrated against known sighting rates. Figures are rounded to the nearest 10% because citizen-science data supports honest approximations, not decimals, and months with records from fewer than five people show "—". How it works.

← Back to Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary

African Spoonbill

About the African Spoonbill

Sounds

Recent sightings of African Spoonbill in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary

Global Distribution

Parks Where Found

Cities Where Found

Zoos & Centres Where Found

Closest Relatives at Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary

Eurasian Spoonbill

Glossy Ibis

African Sacred Ibis

Grey Heron

Great White Pelican

Squacco Heron

Great Egret

Little Egret

Black Heron

Black-crowned Night Heron

Purple Heron

Cattle Egret

Before you go

What are the chances of seeing an African Spoonbill in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary?

When is the best time to see an African Spoonbill in Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary?

What time of day is best to see an African Spoonbill?

Is Djoudj National Bird Sanctuary the best place to see an African Spoonbill?

Where does the African Spoonbill sighting chance come from?