White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)
The White Ibis is one of the most numerous wading birds in Florida.
In flight, the neck is outstretched; the flocks fly in strings, flapping and gliding and often soar in circles. The White Ibis is about 22-27 inches tall. White Ibis inhabit salt, brackish, and fresh marshes, rice fields, mangroves. They may forage in any kind of shallow water, commonly flying to feed in fresh water even in coastal regions. Foraging sites include marshes, mudflats, flooded pastures, lake edges, mangrove lagoons, and grassy fields.
The White Ibis is highly sociable at all seasons, roosting and feeding in flocks, and nesting in large colonies, making it an excellent example of the colonial waterbird. These birds nest in huge colonies in fresh water marshes or along the ocean coast. Researchers have counted 60,000-80,000 individuals in one colony in the Everglades National Park, Florida! During the day, white ibis may fly up to 15 miles or more to find small crustaceans, fish, frogs, and aquatic insects to eat and to feed their young.
White Ibis can be found along the coast of North Carolina to Florida and Texas.