The Royal Spoonbill (Plabtalea regia) is a white heron-like bird easily distinguished by its black spoon-like bill. It lives in intertidal flats and shallows of fresh and saltwater wetlands, feeding in shallow water by swishing its bill from side to side to capture small fish and crustaceans. When slow sweeping, the spoonbill walks slowly, kicking up debris and small animals from the bottom of the body of water, which it senses and catches with its bill. When an item is sensed, the spoonbill switches to more intensive sweeping of a small area.

When breeding, long white plumes grow from the back of their heads and coloured patches appear on the face. The birds are highly sensitive to disturbance in the breeding season and may abandon their nest if approached too closely.