An adaptable and highly gregarious bird of marsh and wetland, the White-faced Ibis can be locally common in one year, yet absent the next. Semi-nomadic, they are often quick to find new habitat created by excessive rainfall or temporary flooding. The White-faced is very similar to the Glossy Ibis, but the ranges of the two species overlap only within a small area along the Gulf Coast.

The White-faced Ibis rarely occurs east of the Mississippi River. It wanders about much of the western United States in spring and summer in search of appropriate breeding and foraging habitats. The bird breeds in marshes and irrigated areas throughout the Great Basin, most commonly in Utah, Nevada, and California. It is also found year-round in coastal Texas and western Louisiana. In winter, large flocks can be found around the Gulf Coast and in southern California. Many U.S. breeders also winter in parts of Mexico, and across much of South America.

 

A legend for the range map to the right can be found here.

White-faced Ibis populations decreased dramatically in the 1960s and 1970s due to habitat loss and widespread use of chemical pesticides. More recently, conditions have improved greatly due to modern conservation efforts. Ibis numbers are currently rising, and their range is expanding.

While the outlook for the White-faced Ibis has improved in recent years, threats remain. Drainage of natural wetlands where the birds have traditionally nested remains a problem. Water rights issues often affect White-faced Ibis colonies for the worse, especially during droughts. Diversion of natural water supplies to irrigated agricultural areas has caused the abandonment of nesting colonies. On the other hand, where suitable natural marshland is not available, the White-faced Ibis has become rather dependent upon irrigated agricultural areas for breeding and feeding over recent decades, so the loss of such lands to development is also extremely detrimental.

 

Widespread pesticides use has had a tremendous impact on White-faced Ibis populations. As with many other species, DDT causes these birds to lay thin, easily crushed eggs. While DDT was outlawed in the United States in 1972, its continued use outside of the U.S. on the birds' wintering grounds remains a problem.

 

The White-faced Ibis is a skittish species. Human interference during the breeding season, even when unintentional, can cause adults to leave eggs or chicks unattended, or even completely abandon a nesting colony. Colonies have also been lost due to competition with grazing cattle.

Avoid White-faced Ibis breeding colonies. Bird watchers, photographers, outdoor enthusiasts, and landowners should avoid disturbing this highly sensitive species.

 

For actions you can take, including Audubon activities, please visit our resources page.

Visit our resources page for more information about this species.

Bent, A. C. 1926. Life Histories of North American Marsh Birds. U.S. National Museum Bulletin. 135.

 

Kaufman, Kenn. 1996. Lives of North American Birds. Houghton Mifflin Company, New York.

 

Ryder, R. A., and D. E. Manry. 1994. White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi). In The Birds of North America, No. 130 (A. Poole and F. Gill, Eds.). Philadelphia: The Academy of Natural Sciences; Washington, D.C.: The American Ornithologists' Union.