White Ibis

Description:

This coastal species is white overall with pink facial skin, bill, and legs that turn scarlet during breeding season. Black tips on the primary feathers are only seen in flight. Flies in straight line formation with neck and legs outstretched, roosts high in trees and bushes at night.

Habitat:

Prefers coastal salt marshes, swamps, and mangroves. Found along the Gulf Coast, mid-Altantic coast and Mexican coast and has become common in some city parks. Breeds as far north as Virginia and casual as far north as New Jersey, mid-west and Southwest.

Notes:

A group of ibises has many collective nouns, including a "congregation", "stand", and "wedge" of ibises. Around their colonies, ibises eat crabs and crayfish, which in turn devour quantities of fish eggs. By keeping down the numbers of crayfish, the birds help increase fish populations. The main conservation concerns for white ibis are hunting and habitat loss. Birds and eggs are hunted for food. When the colony is disturbed by hunting, adults will leave their nests and the young may die. When feeding, White Ibis often give a soft, grunting croo, croo, croo as they forage. They may fly up to 15 miles a day in search of food.