The American White Ibis

The White Ibis is a large bird standing two feet tall with a wingspan of three feet. Its plumage is white except for the thin band of black running along the edge of its wings. Its long, thin legs are gray except during breeding season. During breeding season they are a bright reddish-orange. Its reddish colored beak is long and curves downward, and the color on its face matches its beak.

The young White Ibis are more brown than white. Their chest and bellies lighten as they mature and their beaks are red by the time they reach breeding age.

The White Ibis can be found along the Gulf Coast from Texas, around Florida and up the East Coast as far as Virginia. They can also be found along the coast in Mexico and Central America. They inhabit a wide variety of water systems including, freshwater, saltwater, and brackish marshes. They've be spotted in lagoons and mudflats as well.

Their non-breeding territory stretches further inland, and they have been known to wander. They are occasionally spotted hundreds of miles from their usual territory.

The White Ibis breed in large colonies. The Males arrive at the breeding grounds ahead of the females. In an effort to attract the female's attention, the male will preen, point its bill skyward, and then lower his head onto his back.

Once mated, the male and female work together to build the nest. The male gathers most the material and the female sees to the construction. It's usually hidden in the trees or thickets two to fifteen feet off the ground. The nest is more of a platform of sticks than a true nest.

The female will lay two to five eggs. The color of the eggs can be anywhere from a pale blue-green to white with brown speckles. The pair shares the incubating duties for the next 19 to 22 days. After they hatch the young are fed regurgitated food by both parents. By the third week they are clamoring around the nest sight and by the fourth or fifth week they are taking short flights. By the sixth week they can sustain flight and often join the adults in foraging for food.

The White Ibis forage for food while wadding in the water. They probe the mud and silt with their long beaks in search of crabs and crayfish. They will also eat fish, frogs, and other water creatures. Insects are also a major part of their diet.

The White Ibis is currently protected but the lost of habitat is a major concern. The mashes and wetlands are disappearing. The areas still available for nest sites are often disturbed by humans. The White Ibis will abandon a nest if it feels threatened, leaving the nest susceptible to predators. Something needs to be done and soon before we lose another species to extinction.