Appearance: Known for its bubblegum-pink plumage and spoon-shaped bill, this wading bird stands roughly 2.5 feet tall and spreads its wings to about 4 feet. The pink hue comes from carotenoids in their crustacean-rich diet. Smithsonian's National Zoomyfwc.comnpbcid.orgAudubon

Habitat & Feeding: Found in South Florida's marshes and mangroves, they feed by sweeping their bill through mud or shallow water, snapping up small fish, shrimp, and crustaceans. Smithsonian's National ZooNational Park Service

Conservation: Once nearly hunted to extinction for their feathers, protections have helped their numbers rebound. Still, habitat loss and climate conditions pose ongoing risks