Birda Logo
Features
Birda+
About
Species Guide
Challenges
Shop
loading...
A photo of a White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)
White-faced Ibis

White-faced Ibis

Plegadis chihi

The White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) is a wading bird of the ibis family, Threskiornithidae. It is a creature of marshes, with a slender build and long legs, perfect for its life wading through wetlands. The adult is distinguishable by its pink, bare face bordered with white feathers, a grey bill, and redder legs during the breeding season. Its eyes remain a striking red throughout the year. In contrast, the juvenile's appearance is more subdued and closely resembles that of the Glossy Ibis.

Identification Tips

The White-faced Ibis is characterised by its iridescent bronze-green plumage and slender, curved bill. Distinguishable by its white face and red eyes, especially vivid during breeding season, it contrasts with the Glossy Ibis by its red legs and pronounced white facial border.

Habitat

The White-faced Ibis thrives in marshy environments, preferring areas with dense vegetation such as bulrush and cattails, as well as shrubs and short trees for nesting.

Distribution

This species has a broad range, with populations found from the western United States through Mexico, and from southeastern Brazil and southeastern Bolivia down to central Argentina and the central Chilean coast. It migrates seasonally, with northern populations moving to southern California, Mexico, or Central America for winter.

Behaviour

The White-faced Ibis is a colonial breeder, often nesting in groups within the protective embrace of marsh vegetation. It is a migratory bird, with distinct patterns depending on the region.

Song & Calls

The vocalizations of the White-faced Ibis are less documented, but as with many wading birds, they are likely to have a range of calls used during social interactions and breeding.

Breeding

Breeding takes place in marshes, with nests constructed from reeds in bushes or low trees. The species typically lays three to four blue-green eggs.

Similar Species

The White-faced Ibis is often confused with the Glossy Ibis, especially outside of the breeding season when their plumages are similar. However, the White-faced Ibis can be distinguished by its pinkish bare face with white feather borders and red eyes.

Diet and Feeding

The diet of the White-faced Ibis is varied, including invertebrates such as insects, leeches, snails, crayfish, and earthworms, as well as vertebrates like fish, newts, and frogs. It feeds by probing with its bill in the soft mud of wetlands.

Conservation status

The IUCN lists the White-faced Ibis as Least Concern, with an estimated population of 1.2 million individuals and a trend that appears to be increasing. However, past threats have included shooting, pesticide use, and habitat destruction, which have been mitigated through conservation efforts and legal protections.

White-faced Ibis Sounds



Recorded by: © 
App logo
Birda is a birdwatching app and community aimed at curious people who want to deepen their connection with nature.

White-faced Ibis Fun Facts

Did you know?
White-faced Ibises regularly add man-made objects to their nest.

White-faced Ibis on Birda

Sightings

More Ibises, Spoonbills

Birda Logo

Your birdwatching journey like never before

Connect with nature in minutes
Take a walk, look out of the window and log the birds that you see. Feel good about those little connections to nature.
Discover the joy of birding
Find new birding spots, see more birds, share and celebrate with a like-minded community of nature lovers.
Play your part in saving nature
Logging your birding sightings and sessions turns into positive action for our planet. Every sighting counts.

Birda Blog

What Our Birders Say
Jake W
Great app
I use this app all the time as it’s quick and easy to log individual sightings or whole birding sessions. It’s an excellent way to meet new people and the forum is full of really friendly people. The challenges are a great way to get involved and learn more about birds. Cannot recommend it enough!
Foxgirl100
Great app for beginner twitchers
I’ve had a passion of photographing birds for a long time now but have only just gotten into proper birdwatching, and this app is brilliant for those just getting started. There is a great sense of community among users and the app is very easy to use and professional. Awesome app altogether
Dunners12345
Great App
Great app to use for logging and communicating with others who are interested in birds
Dan R
Great app for bird fanatics
Great app for bird fanatics - very user friendly and a perfect place to share sightings.
Pdydhdrexgi
Fantastic App
This is a really lovely app, for everyone interested in birds - from newbies to old hands. There is a very friendly feel to the community and you will genuinely learn a lot as you record your sightings and photos. There are lots of badges and competitions to keep you engaged, and a host of really useful features.
Jane N
A great app
Enjoying it immensely and finding it useful too. Recording the different birds and counting them is showing me how the present climate is affecting them all. I've trebled the numbers by planting native hedging. A great app.
Trevarthen1
Birda fan
I really enjoy using Birda, all sightings are recorded and photos can be added. There are monthly challenges which help to get you out to record your sightings. The Birda community are great and are happy to help with unidentified bird sightings. Suitable for all ages and experience!
SuperOliviaGirl
Really great app
It’s easy to use and it’s fun to log the birds you notice on a walk or just in your garden. There’s a option to record the birds you see in a session which is really nice. Good excuse to stop for a while and just watch birds. I am also enjoying the information part where you can find out fact about birds from all over the world.
Abi.M
Awesome App
I really enjoy using this app! It is such a friendly community of bird-lovers who are happy to help if I need ID advice. It’s been great motivation to get outdoors and go birding more! 10/10 😍😍
Alex J
Friendly and helps to identify birds
Great birding app, good for logging your sightings, also has nice species guide. I'm enjoying the social aspect more than I expected, everyone seems friendly and helps to identify unknown birds. Good mix of newbies and experienced users.
As featured in
Birda Logo
AboutPressAmbassadorsAffiliatesInfluencersCareersPrivacyTerms & Conditions
An app for birdwatchers
Connect with us
Copyright © 2024 Chirp Birding. All rights reserved.