The White Ibis is one of the most recognizable wading birds in the southeastern United States — bright white body, long curved orange-red bill, and matching pink-red legs that stand out clearly against marsh grass or a green lawn. It’s also one of the few wading birds that has adapted comfortably to city parks and golf courses, making it one of the easiest “exotic-looking” birds for casual observers to actually find.
Identification
Adult: All-white plumage except for black wingtips, visible only in flight. Long, curved bill in bright orange-red. Legs the same orange-red color. Bare red-pink skin around the face.
Juvenile: Brown and white mottled plumage, gradually turning white as the bird matures over about two years. Bill and legs are duller orange-brown rather than the bright color of adults.
Size: 21–27.5 inches long, wingspan about 35–41 inches.
Basic Facts
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Eudocimus albus |
| Family | Threskiornithidae (ibises and spoonbills) |
| Length | 21–27.5 inches |
| Wingspan | 35–41 inches |
| Lifespan | Up to 16 years on record |
| Eggs per clutch | 2–5, pale blue-green with brown spots |
| Conservation status | Least concern |
Diet and Feeding
White Ibises feed by probing soft mud and shallow water with their long curved bill, primarily for crayfish, crabs, and aquatic insects. In Florida, much of their breeding success is tied directly to crayfish availability in freshwater wetlands — a strong crayfish year produces a strong breeding season.
They also forage on lawns, golf courses, and parks, walking with a steady probing motion, picking up insects and small invertebrates from the grass. This adaptability to mowed, human-maintained green space is a major reason White Ibises are so commonly seen in Florida cities and suburbs rather than only in wild wetlands.
Nesting and Colonies
White Ibises nest in large colonies, often alongside herons, egrets, and other wading birds, in trees and shrubs near water for protection from ground predators. Colonies can number in the hundreds to thousands of pairs at major wetland sites.
Both parents incubate and feed the young. Chicks are vulnerable to predation in the first weeks, which is part of why colonial nesting near water — surrounded by other nesting pairs — provides a measurable safety advantage.
Range
White Ibises are year-round residents across the southeastern US coastal plain, especially Florida, where they are extremely common in both wild wetlands and urban green spaces. Range extends along the Gulf Coast and up the Atlantic coast into the Carolinas, with some seasonal movement north in summer.
FAQ: White Ibis
What does a White Ibis look like?
All-white body with a long, curved orange-red bill and matching legs. Black wingtips are visible only in flight. Juveniles are brown and white, gradually turning white over about two years.
Where do White Ibises live?
Year-round across the southeastern US, especially Florida. Common in both wetlands and urban parks, lawns, and golf courses.
What do White Ibises eat?
Primarily crayfish, crabs, and aquatic insects, found by probing mud and shallow water with their curved bill. They also forage on lawns for insects and invertebrates.
For more wading bird identification, see our guide on heron vs egret.
MD Imdadul Haque is the founder of BirdzFly, a research-backed resource on North American backyard birds. Drawing on years of independent study into bird identification, behavior, and migration patterns, he writes in-depth guides designed to help US birders understand the species in their own backyards — from common feeder visitors to seasonal migrants passing through.
