Also known as the black-billed spoonbill, it is often encountered wading on intertidal flats using its wide bill to catch small fish, crabs and frogs.

Royal Spoonbill - Platalea regia - on the edge of the Daintree River - Photo by Alex Pawlow

They are a large bird, growing up to 80cm with long legs for wading. They are easily identified by their spoon shaped bill which is their primary tool of trade in feeding.