Roseate Spoonbill (Platalea ajaja), Santa Cruz Flats, Pinal County

This Roseate Spoonbill was discovered and photographed by Collins Cochran on 22 August 2012 at the corner of Sunland Gin and Kinley Roads.

Although considered a regular visitor to the state through the 1970's, it has been much rarer and less regular since, probably associated with the decline of waterbird habitat in the Colorado River Delta in nearby Mexico. There are fewer than 30 accepted records with several previous records from Pinal County, including an incredible 33 at Picacho Reservoir in 1973.

This is an immature because it lacks the red shoulders of an adult. It is a first year bird because of the fully feathered head. Second year birds also lack the red shoulders of adults, but have the bald forehead typical of adults and are usually brighter pink. Adult plumage is acquired in the third year.

22 August 2012, photo by Collins Cochran