White Ibises 40D0033408

American White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)

The American White Ibis is a species of wading bird of the ibis family Threskiornithidae which occurs from the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States south through most of the New World tropics. It occurs in marshy wetlands and pools near the coast. It also occurs on mowed grass, lawns, and has become common in some city parks, where it can be found feeding alone or with other Ibis. It builds a stick nest in trees, bushes, or over water, and 2 to 5 eggs are typically laid. White ibises are monogamous and colonial, usually nesting in mixed colonies with other wading species. This ibis feeds by probing with its long, downcurved beak. Its diet consists of various fish, frogs and other water creatures, as well as insects.

Like the other species of ibis, the White Ibis flies with neck and legs outstretched, often in long, loose lines. The song of the male is an advertising hunk-hunk-hunk-hunk. The female squeals in extasy. When feeding, the birds often give a soft, grunting croo, croo, croo as they forage.

This bird hybridizes with the Scarlet Ibis, and they are sometimes considered conspecific.

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