White-faced Ibis
Plegadis chihi
CLASS: Aves
ORDER: Ciconiiformes
FAMILY: Threskiornithidae
SIZE:
19 inches in length
RANGE:
East Coast from New York to Florida towards Louisiana
HABITAT:
Marshes and swamps
DIET:
Wild - Insects, frogs, crustaceans, and fish
Zoo - Soaked dog food, fish
DESCRIPTION:
Long, thin, down-curved bills; lack feathers on face
Adult is uniform bronze brown, which appears black at a distance
FACTS:
Use their long bill for probing in soft mud, holes or under plants to catch slow moving or bottom dwelling prey
YOUNG:
2-5 eggs; Incubation period 21 days; both sexes incubate and feed the young regurgitated food
STATUS:
Not threatened; abundant in parts of its range
REFERENCES:
"The Encyclopedia of Birds," Edited by Dr. Christopher M. Perrins and Dr. Alex L.A. Middleton
"A Guide to Field Identification, Birds of North America," Chandler S. Robbins, Bertel Bruun, and Hubert S. Zim
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