General

White-faced Ibis: Medium-sized wading bird, iridescent bronze-brown overall with thin band of white feathers around bare red face, and long, down curved bill. Eyes and legs are red. Sexes are similar. Winter adult lacks white on face.

Range and Habitat

White-faced Ibis: Breeds from Oregon sporadically east to Minnesota and south to southeastern New Mexico and Texas, and east to coastal Louisiana. Spends winters from southern California and the Gulf Coast of Texas and Louisiana to El Salvador. Preferred habitats include salt and fresh marshes in the west, and coastal marshes and brushy islands in Louisiana and Texas.

Breeding and Nesting

White-faced Ibis: Two to five pale blue green to dark turquoise eggs are laid in a shallow cup of reeds lined with grass and built in a low marsh bush. Incubation ranges from 17 to 26 days and is carried out by both parents.

Foraging and Feeding

White-faced Ibis: Diet consists of crayfish and other invertebrates, as well as frogs and fish. Coastal birds forage in salt marshes and include crabs in diet; feeds by probing mud with its long bill.

Vocalization

White-faced Ibis: While feeding, emits a multi-syllable "oink." Also makes a low-pitched "graa-graa-graa."

Similar Species

White-faced Ibis: Glossy Ibis has blue-gray lores and dark legs.