Animal Spotlight
American White Ibis
Eudocimus albus
Wading Birds of the South
White birds with long curved red beaks, American white ibis can fly over 15 miles a day in search of food. With nostrils at the base of their sensitive bills, they can breathe and detect prey even while submerging their bills in water or mud. They wade in the water, moving their long bills back and forth and probing the bottom to find prey.
During nesting season, males gather sticks, reeds, and other materials, and females construct a platform nest. They are very social and can live in huge colonies near the water, numbering up to the tens of thousands.
Habitat
Coastal freshwater, saltwater, and brackish marshes, rice fields, mudflats, mangrove swamps, and lagoons
Diet
Insects, frogs, snails, marine worms, snakes, and small fish
Predators
Fish crows, raccoons, opossums, and some snakes prey on eggs
Conservation Status
Least Concern
Phylum
Chordata
Meet the Neighbors
American white ibis share the Wetlands of Florida with a diverse group of fascinating species.
Roseate Spoonbill
Wonderfully unique, with pink feathers, red eyes, and a half-bald head, this wading bird sifts through the shallow water for food with its flat, wide bill.
North American River Otter
A semi-aquatic mammal with thick fur and webbed feet, the river otter can stay underwater for as long as eight minutes.
