The daily ibis

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White Ibis are brown when young.

Does a day go by that I do NOT see these birds?

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A distinctive bill!

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Good for probing.

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And picking.

White Ibises probe for insects and crustaceans beneath the surface of wetlands. They insert their bill into soft muddy bottoms and feel for prey. When they feel something, they pinch it like a tweezer, pulling out crayfish, earthworms, marine worms, and crabs. They also stab or pinch fish, frogs, lizards, snails, and newts. Many of their prey are swallowed on the spot, but for really muddy items they carry them away to wash the mud off before eating. They break harder crustaceans with their bills and remove claws from crabs and crayfish before eating them.

4 thoughts on “The daily ibis

    1. Amy Post author

      I was at the pond in Indian RiverSide Park, Jensen Beach, FL. Ibises don’t seem shy of people but these ibises are especially not shy because people feed them and the ducks sometimes in this spot.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

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