New Roseate Spoonbill discovery shows they can live to more than 18 years old in the wild.
A spoonbill nest with Stage 2 chicks on a key in Florida Bay. Spoonbill chicks need to survive for 21 days until they are able to fledge and survive on their own. The adult sitting on the nest was banded on Frank Key in December 2003, with bands 7 over 8. This makes the bird the oldest known spoonbill in the wild. Photo: Mac Stone.