(Plegadis chihi)
Conservation • Description • Habitat • Ecology • Distribution • Taxonomy
Conservation Status |
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IUCN Red List | LC - Least Concern |
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NatureServe | N4B, N4N - Apparently Secure Breeding and Nonbreeding SNRM - Unranked Migrant |
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Minnesota | not listed |
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Description |
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White-faced Ibis is a medium-sized, long-legged, heron-like, wading bird. It occurs in western and midwestern North America from the West Coast to South Dakota and Louisiana. It is an occasional visitor in the east. There is another separate population in South America. In Minnesota it is a casual spring migrant and summer visitor, and an occasional fall migrant. Most records are in the southern half of the state. Adults are 18″ to 22″ (46 to 56 cm) in length and have a wingspan of 37″ to 39″ (94 to 99 cm). The head, neck, and body are rich chestnut brown or maroon. The eyes are red and there is a bare patch of skin in front of each eye. The bare skin is reddish in the breeding season, pale pink in the winter. There is a white feathered border around the face that extends behind the eyes and under the chin. This is the feature that gives the species its common name. The bill is gray, long, slender, and curved downward. The wings are dark with metallic green and bronze tones. The legs are red. Juveniles are similar but lack the bare skin patch in front of the eye and the white border around the face. |
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Size |
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Total length: 18″ to 22″ (46 to 56 cm) Wingspan: 37″ to 39″ (94 to 99 cm) |
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Voice |
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Similar Species |
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Habitat |
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Fresh water and salt water marshes with rushes and sedges shallow wetlands, ponds, rivers, and flooded pastures and agricultural fields. |
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Ecology |
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Migration |
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Nesting |
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Food |
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Primarily snails and slugs but also insects, crustaceans, spiders, leeches, and amphibians. |
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Distribution |
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Occurrence |
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Casual spring migrant and summer visitor, occasional fall migrant. The population is increasing. Records in Minnesota have risen rapidly from 1990. |
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Maps |
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The Minnesota Ornithologists’ Union All Seasons Species Occurrence Map |
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Taxonomy |
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Class | Aves (birds) | ||
Order |
Pelecaniformes (pelicans, herons, ibises, and allies) | ||
Family |
Threskiornithidae (ibises and spoonbills) |
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Subfamily |
Threskiornithinae | ||
Genus |
Plegadis | ||
Subordinate Taxa |
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Synonyms |
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Plegadis chichi |
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Visitor Photos |
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Share your photo of this bird. |
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This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Attach one or more photos and, if you like, a caption. |
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JD |
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Theresa Zaske |
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Saw two of these on Friday, May 6 about a half mile north of Balaton, Minnesota. |
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Dan W. Andree |
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From 4k frame grab White-faced Ibis... I think the White-faced Ibis is the most exotic looking water bird I seen around here even though they are not exotic. One article stated they were related to the flamingo. |
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There were just these 2 that I seen. They look like book illustrations here. It was really interesting seeing them do what they do, and felt fortunate to film them doing it. |
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MinnesotaSeasons.com Photos |
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Slideshows |
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Visitor Videos |
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Share your video of this bird. |
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This button not working for you? Simply email us at info@MinnesotaSeasons.com. Attach a video, a YouTube link, or a cloud storage link. |
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Dan W. Andree |
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"White faced Ibis" A rare sighting in Norman County, Minnesota. Dan W. Andree |
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About
I had never seen a White-faced Ibis before until early Spring 2021. I thought they looked like some kind of bird that would be a lot further south. Only seen them that one day and that was it. This is some of the footage. They are quite rare this far north. A pair of trumpeter swans can be heard in the distance as well as other natural sounds. 4k footage available. |
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Other Videos |
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WHITE FACED IBIS groups flying and foraging Plegadis chihi Rob Curtis |
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About
Aug 19, 2018 Plegadis chihi WHITE-FACED IBIS groups flying and foraging. Russel Lakes WMA, CO 4/11/2018. |
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White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) Chattering, Calling, Building Nests Colette Micallef |
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About
Jul 14, 2016 White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) Chattering, Calling, Building Nests - Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge - Chambers County Texas - May 25, 2016 |
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Created: 6/14/2021
Last Updated: