White-faced Ibis
Encyclopedia
The White-faced Ibis is a wading bird
in the ibis
family Threskiornithidae.
This species
breeds colonially in marsh
es, usually nesting in bushes or low trees. Its breeding range extends from the western USA
south through Mexico
, as well as from southeastern Brazil
and southeastern Bolivia
south to central Argentina
, and along the coast of central Chile
. Its winter range extends from southern California
and Louisiana
south to include the rest of its breeding range.
It is very similar to the Glossy Ibis
in its non-breeding plumage
s, but the plumage color is somewhat warmer and breeding adults have a pink face bordered with white, a grey bill, and redder legs. Adults have red eyes year-round, whereas Glossy Ibises have dark eyes. Juveniles of the two species are nearly identical.
Bird
Birds are feathered, winged, bipedal, endothermic , egg-laying, vertebrate animals. Around 10,000 living species and 188 families makes them the most speciose class of tetrapod vertebrates. They inhabit ecosystems across the globe, from the Arctic to the Antarctic. Extant birds range in size from...
in the ibis
Ibis
The ibises are a group of long-legged wading birds in the family Threskiornithidae....
family Threskiornithidae.
This species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
breeds colonially in marsh
Marsh
In geography, a marsh, or morass, is a type of wetland that is subject to frequent or continuous flood. Typically the water is shallow and features grasses, rushes, reeds, typhas, sedges, other herbaceous plants, and moss....
es, usually nesting in bushes or low trees. Its breeding range extends from the western USA
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
south through Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, as well as from southeastern Brazil
Brazil
Brazil , officially the Federative Republic of Brazil , is the largest country in South America. It is the world's fifth largest country, both by geographical area and by population with over 192 million people...
and southeastern Bolivia
Bolivia
Bolivia officially known as Plurinational State of Bolivia , is a landlocked country in central South America. It is the poorest country in South America...
south to central Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
, and along the coast of central Chile
Chile
Chile ,officially the Republic of Chile , is a country in South America occupying a long, narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. It borders Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage in the far...
. Its winter range extends from southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Louisiana
Louisiana
Louisiana is a state located in the southern region of the United States of America. Its capital is Baton Rouge and largest city is New Orleans. Louisiana is the only state in the U.S. with political subdivisions termed parishes, which are local governments equivalent to counties...
south to include the rest of its breeding range.
Glossy Ibis
The Glossy Ibis is a wading bird in the ibis family Threskiornithidae.This is the most widespread ibis species, breeding in scattered sites in warm regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Atlantic and Caribbean region of the Americas...
in its non-breeding plumage
Plumage
Plumage refers both to the layer of feathers that cover a bird and the pattern, colour, and arrangement of those feathers. The pattern and colours of plumage vary between species and subspecies and can also vary between different age classes, sexes, and season. Within species there can also be a...
s, but the plumage color is somewhat warmer and breeding adults have a pink face bordered with white, a grey bill, and redder legs. Adults have red eyes year-round, whereas Glossy Ibises have dark eyes. Juveniles of the two species are nearly identical.
External links
- White-faced Ibis Species Account - Cornell Lab of Ornithology
- White-faced Ibis Information and Photos - South Dakota Birds and Birding
- White-faced Ibis - Plegadis chihi - USGS Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter