White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)
Species name
- Dutch name:
- Witmaskeribis
- English name:
- White-faced Ibis
- German name:
- Brillensichler
- French name:
- Ibis a face blanche
- Scientific name:
- Plegadis chihi
Scientific classification
- Order:
- Pelecaniformes
- Family:
- Threskiornithidae
- Genus:
- Plegadis
Description
- Description:
Male:
White-faced Ibises look dark, almost blackish, at a distance. Close up and in good light, breeding adults are glossy maroon with metallic green and bronze tones on the wing. They typically have red eyes with pink legs and facial skin. The face is highlighted by a narrow band of white, absent in Glossy Ibis.Female:
Male and female are similar in appearance.
Juvenile:
Immature and nonbreeding adults are more matte brown, without the white facial outline and with duller legs.
- Behaviour:
White-faced Ibises are usually seen in flocks, both when nesting in colonies and when foraging. They typically feed by lowering the bill into water, mud, or soil, to feel for prey, or sweep the bill through the water. They can also catch prey by sight, including insects on vegetation.
Standard Measurements
- Body Length (cm):
- The male (drake) of the White-faced Ibis measures approximately 46-56 centimeters. The female measures approximately 46-56 centimeters.
- Body Weight (grams):
- The male will weight about 450-525 gram. The female will weight about 450-525 gram.
The weight is notoriously variable and can only be used as indication!
- Breeding:
- The female White-faced Ibis usually lays from 3-4 bluish-green eggs and incubates them for 21-22 days.
- Bird banding:
- Recommended closed leg band ring size for the White-faced Ibis is 10 mm.The leg band ring can only be applied on a young ibis at around 12-14 days old.
- It doesn't matter what leg that you band, but it's good to have a consistent system. Suggested: Left leg = Female, Right leg = Male
Photos of the White-faced Ibis
