Born to Fly
White Ibis in Flight
White Ibises gather in groups in shallow wetlands and estuaries in the southeastern United States. At each step, their bright red legs move through the water and their curved red bill probes the muddy surface below. As adults, these striking wading birds are all white save for their black wingtips.
White Ibises tend to move around in large groups depending on water depth. Unlike larger herons who stalk their prey, White Ibises spend more time walking through wetlands. In some areas they forage in urban parks and lawns, especially in southern Florida.
Male White Ibises are very protective. They guard the nest and their female to prevent other ibises from stealing sticks from the nest and from advances of other males during nest building and egg laying. It's not until night when the risks are lower that the female is left alone.
When baby White Ibises hatch their bills are straight. Their bills don't start to curve downward until they are 14 days old.
The oldest recorded White Ibis was at least 16 years, 4 months old when it was found in Florida in 1972. It had been banded in Alabama in 1956.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
(Nikon D500, 80-400/5.6, 1/1000 @ f/8, ISO 160)
Born to Fly
White Ibis in Flight
White Ibises gather in groups in shallow wetlands and estuaries in the southeastern United States. At each step, their bright red legs move through the water and their curved red bill probes the muddy surface below. As adults, these striking wading birds are all white save for their black wingtips.
White Ibises tend to move around in large groups depending on water depth. Unlike larger herons who stalk their prey, White Ibises spend more time walking through wetlands. In some areas they forage in urban parks and lawns, especially in southern Florida.
Male White Ibises are very protective. They guard the nest and their female to prevent other ibises from stealing sticks from the nest and from advances of other males during nest building and egg laying. It's not until night when the risks are lower that the female is left alone.
When baby White Ibises hatch their bills are straight. Their bills don't start to curve downward until they are 14 days old.
The oldest recorded White Ibis was at least 16 years, 4 months old when it was found in Florida in 1972. It had been banded in Alabama in 1956.
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
(Nikon D500, 80-400/5.6, 1/1000 @ f/8, ISO 160)