Eurasian Spoonbill

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Eurasian Spoonbill in the UK

A rare breeder and a scarce but increasing visitor. Spoonbills were lost as British breeding birds in the 17th century. After occasional attempts from the late 1990s, a regular colony formed at Holkham in Norfolk in 2010. It had grown to 46 nests by 2023, when 90 young fledged. Birds have bred at RSPB Fairburn Ings in West Yorkshire each year since 2017, at Cley from 2022 and in the Norfolk Broads from 2023. The species is on the Amber list and is protected under Schedule 1.

Where and when to see a Eurasian Spoonbill

North Norfolk from April to September, with birds feeding on the pools at Cley, Titchwell and Holkham. RSPB Fairburn Ings in West Yorkshire and RSPB Frampton Marsh in Lincolnshire are other regular sites. From late summer through winter the largest gatherings are in Poole Harbour, Dorset, around Brownsea Island lagoon and RSPB Arne. Other south coast estuaries and East Anglian scrapes hold smaller groups. Birds feed mostly at low tide and at dawn and dusk, and sleep for much of the day.

Habitat, diet and field notes

Habitat: Shallow coastal lagoons.
Diet: Small fish, shrimp.
Field note: Side-to-side bill-sweeping.

How to identify a Eurasian Spoonbill

Nearly as tall as a Grey Heron, with shorter legs. All white, with black legs and a long black bill that widens into a flat spoon at the end. Adults have a yellow bill tip and, in spring, a drooping crest and a yellow-buff band across the breast. Juveniles have a pinkish bill and black wingtips. It flies with the neck stretched straight out, where egrets and herons fold theirs. Resting birds tuck the bill away, so look for the bulky body and short thick neck.

Call and song

Silent away from the nest. At colonies adults give low grunts and clatter their bills, and well-grown young beg with a thin, trilling whistle. Heard something you cannot place? Bird Hear identifies UK birds from a 10 second recording, free in your browser.

Confusion species

• Little Egret: Little Egret is much smaller with a thin pointed bill and yellow feet, and flies with its neck tucked in.
• Great White Egret: Great White Egret is slimmer with a long kinked neck and a dagger-shaped yellow bill.
• African Spoonbill: African Spoonbill, an occasional escape, has a red face and pink-red legs.

Related guide Bird migration in Britain.

Conservation status and Birdedex points

In the Birdedex the Eurasian Spoonbill is a Rare tier bird, worth +8 points when you log one. It is Amber-listed in Birds of Conservation Concern 5, the middle level of concern in the UK. It is protected under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, so it is an offence to disturb it at or near the nest. We blur the location of every sighting of this species.

Recent UK sightings

Similar birds

• African SpoonbillLegendary · Wetlands (vagrant claim)
• Mediterranean GullRare · Coastal lagoons
• Pied AvocetUncommon · Coastal lagoons
• American Golden PloverRare · Coastal turf (autumn passage)
• Arctic WarblerRare · Coastal scrub (vagrant)
• Barred WarblerRare · Coastal scrub (scarce)

Eurasian Spoonbill: quick answers

Where can I see a Spoonbill in the UK?

Norfolk in summer and Dorset in winter. The north Norfolk reserves are reliable from spring to early autumn, and Poole Harbour holds dozens through the colder months. RSPB Fairburn Ings is the place to try in northern England.

What does a Spoonbill eat?

Small fish, shrimps, water insects and tadpoles. It wades through shallow water sweeping the slightly open bill from side to side and snaps it shut when it touches prey. Feeding birds may fly 20 kilometres or more from the colony.

Is the Spoonbill rare in the UK?

As a breeder, yes, with only a handful of colonies. As a visitor it is now far easier to see than it was 20 years ago, and flocks on the south and east coasts are a regular sight. Colour rings show that many of the visitors come from the Netherlands.

Kit that helps

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