Their necks and legs are completely stretched out at this time. The most unique characteristic about the spoonbill in terms of behavior, is that when it feeds, it moves it's spoon beak back and forth in a sweeping motion to catch food. Habitat Roseate Spoonbills are usually populated in marsh like areas. More specifically, Spoonbills can be found around areas havily populated with mangroves. This is because the nutrient rich water which already exists around the mangroves provides a perfect feeding environment.
Spoonbills create large, deep, well-constructed nests out of sticks, much like the nests of herons.
Spoonbills can be found in heavier populations than anywhere else around Tampa and in Merritt Island. Many avid bird watchers come to Florida to see this beautiful creature. This attraction, therefore, helps the economy. In the middle of the century, Roseate Spoonbills were heavily hunted for their brilliant and distinct red colored feathers. In recent years however, the Spoonbill has come back strong in certain isolated areas.