It’s rare to see a Royal Spoonbill at Manly Dam. In fact, this is only the second time I’ve seen one, over the many years that I’ve been walking at the dam.

This one is a lovely bird, with those yellow stripes above its eyes that make it look a little supercilious, and those intriguing patterns on its beak:

Common name: Royal Spoonbill
Scientific name: Platalea regia
Approximate length: 75-80 cm
Date spotted: 28 July 2026 (winter)
Location: Manly Dam, New South Wales, Australia: 33°46’34.8″S 151°14’48.1″E