White-faced Ibis Similar Species Comparison
Main SpeciesWhite-faced Ibis
Breeding adult
Large maroon wading bird with a long curved bill. Breeding adults have reddish legs and a bare patch of pink skin in front of the eye, which is bordered in white. In good light, note the metallic green and bronze wings.
© Michael Brown / Macaulay LibraryIndiana, May 30, 2017Nonbreeding adult
Nonbreeding/immature birds look like adults but lack the bare skin patch and the white border around the eye. Note red eye.
© DigiBirdTrek CA / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, August 26, 2017Breeding adult
Feeds in shallow marshes, wet ditches, and flooded or irrigated cropfields, often in large flocks.
© Timothy Barksdale / Macaulay LibraryMontana, June 01, 2001Not all videos have sound
Nonbreeding adult
Often appears all dark, but note rich chestnut body and metallic bronze-and-green wings and tail.
© Matt Davis / Macaulay LibraryNevada, August 10, 2019Juvenile
Juveniles are paler brown overall with a paler cheek and patches of white feathers on the neck.
© Tom Johnson / Macaulay LibraryArizona, August 19, 2016Breeding adult
Flies with its neck outstretched and head slightly drooping.
© Nathan Dubrow / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, April 17, 2017Breeding adult
Pairs often preen each other during courtship, a behavior known as allopreening.
© Mel Senac / Macaulay LibraryCalifornia, March 25, 2017Habitat
Often perches in low trees and shrubs at the edge of wetlands.
© Ryan Schain / Macaulay LibraryMassachusetts, May 22, 2015Habitat
Found in fresh and saltwater marshes, wetlands, and flooded fields.
© sam hough / Macaulay LibraryArizona, April 15, 2016Similar SpeciesGlossy Ibis
Adult
Adult Glossy Ibises lack the white border around the eye that breeding White-faced Ibises have.
© Evan Lipton / Macaulay LibraryRhode Island, April 10, 2017Similar SpeciesGlossy Ibis
Juvenile
Juvenile Glossy Ibises and juvenile White-faced Ibises often cannot be separated unless at close range. The most reliable feature separating them is eye color: dark on Glossy and red on White-faced.
© Rogério Rodrigues / Macaulay LibraryLisboa, July 27, 2017Similar SpeciesWhite Ibis
Juvenile
Juvenile White Ibises have white underparts; juvenile White-faced Ibises are brown below.
© Tom Johnson / Macaulay LibraryNew Jersey, July 22, 2017Rotate Your Device to Better Compare
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