An emblematic waterbird of the Americas, particularly renowned for its striking white feathers and pronounced, decurved bill, which is an essential tool for foraging in its preferred wetland habitats. These habitats include a range of watery environments, from swamps and wetlands to mangroves and salt marshes, spanning the southern United States to northern South America.
This bird’s plumage is almost entirely white, except for black tips on its wings that are usually only visible in flight. The adult White Ibis’s bare skin on the face and its bill and legs are generally a dull pink but transform to a vivid scarlet during the breeding season, signaling readiness to mate. This color change is one of the most dazzling displays among the wading birds and is thought to attract mates.
Gregarious by nature, the White Ibis is commonly found in large flocks, which can number in the hundreds during migration and foraging expeditions. These flocks are common in their habitats, moving through wetlands coordinatedly, probing the soft mud with their curved bills for prey. Their diet is varied, mainly consisting of crustaceans, small fish, insects, frogs, and other small aquatic organisms. The White Ibis plays a critical role in the ecosystem, helping control insect populations and contributing to the energy flow within the food web.
White Ibises exhibit monogamous behavior, typically forming pair bonds for the duration of the breeding season. However, some males may engage in extra-pair mating. They are colonial nesters, often sharing nesting sites with other species of ibises and herons, which helps provide collective vigilance against predators. The nests are constructed of sticks and are typically located in trees or bushes above water.
Distribution
Bahamas
Belize
Cayman Islands
Colombia
Costa Rica
Cuba
Dominican Republic
Ecuador
El Salvador
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Jamaica
Mexico
Nicaragua
Panama
Peru
Puerto Rico
Trinidad & Tobago
Turks & Caicos
United States
VenezuelaAnything we've missed?
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd / Flock
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
