The royal spoonbill is a large long-necked white water bird with a long, flat, spoon-shaped black bill and black facial skin and legs. It is most often seen sweeping its distinctive bill from side to side as it walks through shallow water. In the breeding season, both male and female develop a crest of feathers sweeping back from the head, a bright pink patch of skin on the forehead and yellow skin above the eyes. Their white plumage also develops a buff wash across the breast during the breeding season.