Geography/Habitat:

The White-faced Ibis, (Plegadis chihi), was originally grouped as a super-species with the Glossy Ibis first described by Linnaeus in 1766. The White-faced Ibis was split out as a distinct species in Vieillot in 1817. It is monotypic but note there are two distinct populations – one in the US, Mexico and Central America the other in South America, (Bolivia, Paraguay, Brazil, Chile, and Argentina).

In the US, its range extends from the North West coastline through California and along the West Coast of Mexico and Central America. It is also found along the Gulf Coast, (Louisiana and Texas), and down the east coast of Mexico and Central America. Some migration in Summer does occur through the central US where it breeds as far North of South-ern Canada. In Winter it retreats to coastal areas and into central Mexico. Note there has been interbreeding with Glossy Ibis in captivity but is rare in the wild. 

Preferred habitats are both salt and freshwater marshes and coastal wetlands in Louisiana and Texas.

Breeding season runs from April to July and a simple shallow cup in the reeds serves as a nest into which 2-5 pale blue to dark turquoise eggs are laid. Both the parents incubate the eggs for 17-26 days. The chicks are born with black down. Note Ibis are typically communal for both roosting and nesting.

Life expectancy is around 8-10 years with the oldest known birds living to 12-14 years.

The White-faced Ibis diet is mainly crustacean based with crayfish being preferred but invertebrates are often taken including frogs and small fish. Coastal birds also take crabs regularly. They forage in shallow water and probe in the mud with their bills. This is often a group activity and in Winter flocks can be up to 1000 birds.

Identification:

White-faced Ibis are typically 18-20 inches long with long legs and a long decurved bill. Plum-age is brown green and is iridescent in bright sunlight. Wings and back are greener with under-parts and neck/head being browner. The skin around the eye is red and is brighter during breeding with a distinctive white edge. The bill is gray and the legs red again being much brighter in breeding season. Note immatures are paler and their eyes are brown not red. 

White-faced Ibises are usually silent but do sometimes emit an oink or a low pitched “gra-gra-gra”

Interesting Facts:

•          White-faced Ibis are locally common but numbers are in strong decline in the United States. Coastal and wetland drainage and pesticide use are believed to be the main causes of the decline.

•          Nesting colonies can be very large - the largest being in Salt Lake area around Utah and numbering in the thousands.

•          A group of Ibis is known as congregation, stand, or wedge