White-Faced Ibis

White-Faced Ibis - IUCN Conservation Status: Least Concern

The white-faced ibis has a long gray cured bill

No matter what age you are, there is something amazing about seeing a creature for the first time. That was the case with this bird, the white-faced ibis. I was not looking for this bird. I came across it by accident while exploring Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico last year. It looked prehistoric to me and captured my attention for its amazing coloration. The white-faced ibis has a long gray cured bill. It has a small head with a long neck. The white-faced ibis has maroon feathers as well as iridescent green feathers. If you look closely in this photo, there is a mother of pearl effect on the underside of its wings.

Willet

Its name is derived from the patch of pink skin in front of the eye which is bordered in white. This is only seen in breeding adults. If you look closely, you will see this in these photos, so I believe this is a breeding adult. There are two areas these birds live in. The main range is in the United States, Southern Canada, and Central America. The second major population is east of the Andes Mountains in South America. The two populations do not interact, migrate, or breed with each other.

Similar to other species of ibis (like the white ibis WBP featured last year this bird uses its long bill to probe the earth for food. The white-faced ibis will eat invertebrates such as leeches, snails, insects, and worms. It also eats vertebrates like fish, frogs, and newts.

White Ibis

For many years (until the EPA banned its use in 1972) the pesticide DDT threatened this species. The pesticide was causing the white-faced ibis eggshells to be so thin that they were breaking during incubation. Additional threats like changes to the water systems and pollution threaten the species because the white-faced ibis relies on wetland habitats.

Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge is located in west-central New Mexico. It is located between the San Pascual Mountains (east) and the Chupadera Mountains (west). This amazing 57,331-acre refuge was established in 1939. It is an important pitstop for migrating birds. If you are ever in New Mexico, it is a must stop.