Sounds

Most spoonbill species usually are silent, except during social displays at breeding colonies, and in some species during flight (call, bill-snapping, wing noise; Hancock et al. 1992).

Development

Calls of Roseate Spoonbill young are poorly described. See Cramp and Simmons 1977, and Kahl 1983, 1988, for other species. Begging Call(s): “high thin distinctive cheeping”; “tremulous trilling whistle” that accompanies Begging Display (F. M. Chapman 1910 in Bent 1926, Allen 1962, Palmer 1962; see Breeding: parental care, below). No information on maturation of vocalizations in the Roseate, but Begging Call in Royal Spoonbill becomes lower pitched with age; may be caused by changes in shape of trachea (Kahl 1988, Vestjens 1975 in Hancock et al. 1992). No information on vocal learning or sensitive periods for learning.

Vocal Array

Limited as in other spoonbill species (Hancock et al. 1992). Except for vocalizations given during feeding, calls described here accompany breeding activities; known array probably is incomplete (Allen 1942). For other spoonbills, see Kahl 1983, 1988 .

Calls. Alarm Call associated with Erect Posture (see Behavior: agonistic behavior, below)— huh-huh-huh-huh —is repeated rapidly in low tone without change in pitch or volume, head raised, bill partly open. During Greeting (see Behavior: sexual behavior, below) gives “low cackling and clucking sounds”; perhaps the same as “guttural croak” during courtship displays of captive birds (Hancock et al. 1992). No calls during copulation; copulatory call described for African Spoonbill. While feeding, gives soft grunting uh-uh-uh similar to call of American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus; Hancock et al. 1992). Photograph of a Roseate Spoonbill with bill open in flight suggests vocalization (Allen 1942); African Spoonbill has a flight call (Hancock et al. 1992). No vocalizations described during roosting.

Phenology

Described during breeding period at colony; no information during nonbreeding season, but this species is essentially silent.

Daily Pattern

No information.

Places Of Vocalizing

At nest (site); within territory. At feeding site.

Social Context And Presumed Functions

Not as well understood as for other spoonbills (Kahl 1983, 1988). In Eurasian and Royal spoonbills, huh-huh-huh vocalization is associated with social displays at nest (Cramp and Simmons 1977, Hancock et al. 1992); Roseate gives this vocalization only as Alarm Call with Erect Posture (see Behavior: agonistic behavior, below) and not in other contexts (Allen 1942). Low cackling and clucking during Greeting (Nest Relief Display; see Behavior: sexual behavior, below) apparently indicates broodiness and helps pair coordinate changeover at nest. Also signals desire for nest relief as given frequently by lone bird during long incubation bout while standing, head raised, bill open; accompanied by bobbing of head up and down and gular-flapping (see Breeding: incubation, below). Similar sound sometimes heard with Threat Posture (see Behavior: agonistic behavior, below). Function of call during feeding unknown.

During courtship activities, engages in “soft bill-rattling,” especially during Display Preen (Hancock et al. 1992); also during Greeting (Nest Relief Display; see Behavior: sexual behavior, below; Allen 1942). Not same as true bill-clattering in storks because bill is too soft and leathery (Hancock et al. 1992).