Breeding displays of the African Spoonbill Platalea alba

Breeding colonies of the African Spoonbill Platalea alba were studied in Kenya and South Africa during 1980. In Kenya nesting was in trees and in South Africa in reedbeds; the nesting area in both colonies was shared with other species of waterbirds.
During the breeding season, adult African Spoonbills acquire a more immaculate plumage and brighter soft-part coloration. Sexes are distinguishable by the larger size and more robust proportions of males.
Males are more sedentary and aggressive during pair formation, and females are more mobile and submissive. The general pattern of pair formation is described, with a variety of ritualized courtship displays acting to bring and keep the sexes together.
Comfort movements, vocalizations, and 14 distinct ritualized social displays are described and illustrated for the African Spoonbill. Some similarities and possible homologies with displays of other ciconiiform birds are mentioned. This paper represents the first part of a continuing study of the comparative ethology of the five species of spoonbills of the world.