One of the most numerous wading birds in Florida, and common elsewhere in the southeast. Highly sociable at all seasons, roosting and feeding in flocks, nesting in large colonies. White Ibises fly in lines or V-formations, with several quick flaps followed by a short glide. When groups wade through shallows, probing with their long bills, other wading birds such as egrets may follow them to catch prey stirred up by the ibises.
They are red faced, with long decurved red bill, and restricted black wingtips. Immature they are dark brownish; they have white belly, white rump, curved red bill. In flight, the neck is outstretched; flocks fly in strings, flapping and gliding; often soar in circles.
Their Habitat is salt, brackish, and fresh marshes, rice fields, mangroves. May forage in any kind of shallow water, commonly flying to feed in fresh water even in coastal regions. Their diet is quite variable, but crayfish and crabs are major items. They also eat insects, snails, frogs, marine worms, snakes, small fish. |