Graceful, white wading bird with peculiar spoon-shaped beak, used to probe along bottom, feeling for fish, amphibians, and other aquatic invertebrates. Colonial breeder with disjunct breeding range in Europe, with largest populations in the Netherlands, Hungary and Spain. More widespread from north of the Caucasus east to China. European population 10,200-15,200 breeding pairs, with most W. European populations increasing, some E. European populations decreasing. Migratory, but may only travel short distances, some southern populations resident, nomadic or partially migratory.