Spoonbill chicks are fed at a nest in the Orlando wetlands. Photo: Ronen Tivony
My photograph of a roseate spoonbill chick has been selected for The Guardian’s News Photos of the Day gallery for Wednesday, March 25, 2026 a curated collection of the most compelling images from around the world that day. Being included among those images is always a meaningful recognition.
The spoonbill chick in this image was photographed during peak nesting season at one of Florida’s most productive rookeries. Every frame from that morning reminded me why I keep returning to the Orlando Wetlands year after year.
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Roseate Spoonbill Chick Facts: What Makes These Birds So Remarkable
Roseate spoonbills (Platalea ajaja) are among North America’s most visually striking wading birds, but most people never get to observe their nesting behavior up close. Here is what makes photographing spoonbill chicks such a rare and rewarding experience.
Chicks hatch with straight bills. The distinctive spatula-shaped bill that gives spoonbills their name develops gradually over the first weeks of life. Newly hatched chicks look surprisingly unlike their parents, paler, softer, and with a bill that has yet to flatten.
They grow rapidly. Spoonbill chicks go from helpless hatchlings to near-fledglings in about five to six weeks. The window for capturing that early chick stage is narrow, which makes timing essential for photographers.
Both parents share feeding duties. Unlike some colonial waterbirds, roseate spoonbills rely on both the male and female to feed chicks. Watching this cooperative behavior unfold in real time, the arrivals, the vocalizations, the feeding rituals, is endlessly engaging.
Nesting colonies are loud and busy. Active spoonbill rookeries buzz with energy from before sunrise. The combination of nest-building adults, competing males, and calling chicks creates a dynamic, ever-changing scene that rewards long, patient sessions in the field.
Where I Photograph Roseate Spoonbills in Florida
Florida is one of the best places in North America to photograph roseate spoonbills, particularly during the February through May breeding season. I lead specialized Spoonbills Florida Photography Tours at two premier locations, each offering distinct photographic opportunities.
Orlando Wetlands Park
Orlando Wetlands in Christmas, Florida is an 1,800-acre constructed wetland that supports one of the most accessible spoonbill colonies in the state. Elevated berms give photographers clear sightlines to nest trees without disturbing the birds. The open layout means excellent light from sunrise onward, and birds commuting between feeding areas and nests create consistent flight opportunities.
This is where I photographed the nesting-stick image that appeared in The Guardian’s Week in Wildlife on March 24, 2026 , just one day before this latest feature.
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Rookery
The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Rookery is one of Florida’s most famous nesting colonies. Thousands of wading birds, including roseate spoonbills, great blue herons, snowy egrets, and wood storks, nest directly over the alligator enclosures. The proximity of alligators below deters ground predators, making this one of the most densely active rookeries in the Southeast.
Photography access here is exceptional. Boardwalks bring you close to active nests at nearly eye level, enabling portrait-quality images of chicks, feeding adults, and courtship behavior.
Why Spoonbill Photography Matters Beyond the Frame
Roseate spoonbills were nearly wiped out in Florida by the early 20th century, hunted for their pink plumage to supply the feather trade. Conservation efforts brought them back, and today their presence in Florida wetlands is a genuine success story. But they remain sensitive to habitat loss, water quality, and human disturbance.
Every photograph that reaches a wide audience, whether in The Guardian, The Atlantic, or CNN, contributes to public awareness of these birds and the ecosystems they depend on. That is part of why publication matters to me beyond the professional recognition. A strong image can make someone care about a bird they had never thought about before.
Join a Roseate Spoonbill Photography Tour in Florida
If photographing roseate spoonbills, including chicks during peak nesting season, is on your list, April and May are the ideal months. I offer one-on-one private instruction and small group sessions at Orlando Wetlands and St. Augustine.
On these tours, I help you understand spoonbill behavior so you can anticipate the moments that make strong images, dial in your camera settings for fast-moving birds in variable light, and develop your compositional instincts through real-time coaching in the field.
Frequently Asked Questions About Spoonbill Chick Photography in Florida
When can I photograph roseate spoonbill chicks in Florida? Chicks are typically present in nests from late March through early June, depending on the location. The peak window for photographing young chicks (before they fledge) is roughly mid-April through May at most Florida rookeries.
What equipment do I need to photograph spoonbill chicks? A telephoto lens of at least 400mm is recommended; 200–600mm is ideal for frame-filling portraits at rookery distances. A fast autofocus system helps when photographing movement in and around active nests.
Are roseate spoonbills endangered? Roseate spoonbills are not currently listed as endangered, but they are a Species of Special Concern in Florida. Their numbers fluctuate with wetland water levels and habitat conditions, making ongoing conservation monitoring important.
What Florida locations are best for spoonbill photography? Orlando Wetlands Park, St. Augustine Alligator Farm Rookery, and Stick Marsh in Fellsmere are among the most consistently productive locations during breeding season. I cover the two most photogenic — Orlando Wetlands and St. Augustine — on my Spoonbills Florida Photography Tour.
Can beginners photograph spoonbills on your tours? Absolutely. My tours are designed for photographers of all skill levels. I adjust instruction to meet you where you are, whether you are learning manual controls for the first time or refining composition and timing at an advanced level.
About Ronen Tivony
Ronen Tivony is an award-winning wildlife photojournalist, Certified Florida Master Naturalist, and Fellow of the Royal Photographic Society (FRPS). His work is regularly published in leading global outlets including The New York Times, National Geographic, The Guardian, CNN, BBC, The Atlantic, and many more.
He leads specialized wildlife photography workshops and tours throughout Florida’s most productive ecosystems, bringing a photojournalist’s storytelling discipline to wildlife photography instruction.