(Eudocimus albus)
22 - 27 inches

photograph © Walker Golder

Status: No special status in North Carolina.

Identification: Adult White Ibis are easily identified by their white plumage and long decurved bill. The fleshy parts of their face and legs are reddish to pink, but turn bright red when breeding. The bill is red to pink at the base and is tipped with black. Wing tips are black. Females are smaller and have shorter bills than males.

Nesting Habitat: White Ibis nest primarily on estuarine and barrier islands in North Carolina, but will nest in swamp forests and marshes in other regions. Nests may be on the ground or elevated in shrubs or trees.

Breeding Biology: White Ibis usually begin to breed when two or three years of age. Initiation of nesting activities at North Carolina colony sites usually begins in April and may continue until late May. Adults construct platform nests of plant stems, twigs, or occasionally marsh grasses. Eggs vary in color from tan to light brownish-green with dark blotchy markings. Females lay two to four eggs, one every other day. Occasionally six or seven eggs are present, but this is probably the result of Òegg dumpingÓ by more than one female. Both the male and female participate in incubation that lasts 21 to 23 days. Nestlings require prey found in non-saline habitats in order to achieve normal growth. Nestlings begin to fly at about five weeks of age. Adults and juveniles may remain at the colony site until mid-August.

Food: Food consists primarily of aquatic crustaceans. Fiddler crabs (Uca spp.) and crayfish (Cambaridae) are important food for White Ibis. Other food items include insects, snails, other invertebrates, fish, small reptiles and amphibians.

State Nesting Population: Stable, approximately 9,500 nesting pairs. Nearly all of North Carolina's White Ibis nest on the Battery Island Audubon Sanctuary.

Major Threats: Human disturbances during the nesting season, loss of nesting habitat, degradation of wetland foraging areas.

Waterbirds:
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Last Revision 5/21/98