From brown to white, this immature White Ibis is patchy with new feathers.

Reminds me a bit of the diamond patchwork of a harlequin.

Adult and not-yet.

A watched a flock of White Ibis at Indian Riverside Park a couple of days ago. I focused on the young birds, with their more varied coloring.

Some were less patchy and more brown.

Side by side.

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.https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/White_Ibis/lifehistory

These birds didn’t care I was crouched down right near them.

Nice to get such a good look at these common Florida birds in their less commonly observed plumage.