H.J. Ruiz – Avian101

The photographs displayed on this post were shot at different locations of the west coast in Florida.

The white plumage and pink facial skin of adult American White Ibises are distinctive. Adults have black wingtips that are usually only visible in flight. In non-breeding condition the long down curved bill and long legs are bright red-orange. During the first ten days of the breeding season, the skin darkens to a deep pink on the bill and an almost purple-tinted red on the legs.

American White Ibis

It then fades to a paler pink, and the tip of the bill becomes blackish. It is difficult to determine the sex of an adult American White Ibis from its external appearance, since the sexes have similar plumage. However, there is sexual dimorphism in size and proportion as males are significantly larger and heavier than females and have longer and stouter bills.

Their diet consists primarily of small aquatic prey such as insects and small fishes. Crayfish are its preferred food in most regions; however, it can adjust its diet according to the habitat and prey abundance. It is a tactile non-visual forager, whose main foraging behavior is probing with its beak at the bottom of shallow water to feel for and to capture its prey.

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Text and photographs © H.J. Ruiz – Avian 101