# American White Ibis (*Eudocimus albus*)

> The American white ibis (Eudocimus albus) is a white wading bird with a curved red bill and black wingtips, common in southeastern US wetlands and lawns. Adults weigh about 1 kg, probe mud for crayfish and insects, and are listed Least Concern.

- **Category:** Bird
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Coastal Southeast US through the Caribbean to northern South America.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/american-white-ibis/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Aves
- **Order:** Pelecaniformes
- **Family:** Threskiornithidae
- **Genus:** Eudocimus

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Eudocimus albus |
| Diet | Carnivore |
| Habitat | Wetlands, mangroves, and lawns |
| Lifespan | 16–20 years |
| Weight | 0.7–1.2 kg |
| Top speed | up to 40 km/h |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Curved bill mud-prober

The long, decurved bill probes soft mud and shallow water for crayfish, crabs, insects, and small fish. Juveniles are brown and mottled, gradually whitening over their first year.

## Crayfish specialist

In Florida and the Gulf Coast, crayfish often dominate the diet. Flocks follow receding floodwaters and irrigated fields, exploiting prey concentrated in shrinking pools.

## Southeast wetlands to lawns

Coastal marshes, mangroves, and estuaries from the Carolinas through Florida and the Caribbean to northern South America. Suburban lawns and golf courses attract birds where wetlands remain nearby.

## Adaptable but wetland-dependent

Least Concern and abundant in many coastal counties. Habitat loss and polluted runoff still matter locally, but the species thrives where shallow feeding grounds persist.

## Frequently asked questions

### Why do white ibises visit lawns?

Irrigated grass mimics shallow wetlands, concentrating earthworms, insects, and crayfish after rain.

### How do you tell juvenile ibises from adults?

Juveniles are brown with streaked necks; adults are pure white with red faces and black wingtips.

### What do American white ibises eat?

Mainly crayfish and other crustaceans, plus insects, small fish, and frogs in shallow water.

### Are white ibises sacred in Florida culture?

They are a familiar coastal symbol and University of Miami mascot, reflecting their abundance in South Florida.

### Do ibises nest in colonies?

Yes — they breed in tree colonies with herons and other waders, often on mangrove islands.

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/american-white-ibis/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.