The White-faced Ibis is a unique species of bird that can be found in various regions across the Americas. They are known for their long and curved bills, dark feathers, and distinctive white faces. This bird may not be as recognized as other more colorful birds, but they still have interesting characteristics to learn about.
Basic Description
The White-faced Ibis stands at around 26 inches tall with a wingspan of up to 38 inches. Male and female ibises look similar except during mating season when males develop longer bills than females. Their feathers are almost entirely dark purple except for their face which is bright scarlet or red-brown in coloration around the eyes while the rest of their head is white or grayish-white. They also have long legs perfect for wading through shallow waters.
Where To Find This Bird
White-faced Ibises can mostly be found throughout western North America including California, Oregon, Utah, Wyoming, Colorado and Mexico where it breeds along waterways such as wetlands with low vegetation like marshes or swamps from mid-March to August before migrating south during winter months.
Habitat
These birds inhabit freshwater habitats like ponds/lakes and brackish areas near estuaries such as salt flats where they find food sources like crustaceans (crabs). The breeding period usually occurs between March until early August in dense colonies along riverbanks or lakesides all over subtropical regions across North American continent.
Food
The White-faced Ibis feeds on a variety of small aquatic animals including crayfish/crabs/snails/insects/frogs with its elongated bill acting as an efficient tool for probing deep into muds/sand/soil bottom substrates to catch prey items
Cool Facts
-They sleep standing on one leg with the other tucked up against their body
-Unlike other ibises, White-faced Ibises are not social birds but instead lead a solitary life during non-breeding periods.
-White-faced Ibises form large flocks when migrating and can fly long distances at night to reach their wintering grounds in Central and South America.
