I speak more specifically about the American white ibis. Genus: endocimus albus; Family: ibises and spoonbills.

Most common in the deep southern regions of the United States, the white ibis is one of the most numerous wading birds in Florida. Adults are mostly white with black tipped wings, red face and legs and a very distinctive downturned pink bill.

Originally found in numbers reportedly as high as in the thousands across the Everglades, the white ibis has turned to urban life all over Florida in order to adapt. Their population is much lower today than in past decades due to loss of feeding and nesting habitats.  In spite of the perils they face they can be seen everywhere from backyards, golf courses, parks and shorelines, looking for insects or probing for prey. But the question I still ask myself most is... will they return to the subtropical wilderness of the Everglades or will they continue to exist as a social bird among people?

Photo title: "White Ibis Sunrise"

Photo location: Coastal region of Southwest Florida

Photo description: Ibis in flight, silhouetted against a shoreline morning sunrise with the water's reflection capturing the peach colored sky painted by Mother Nature.

Purchase this print: https://www.marcharriswildlife.com/Galleries/Birds-And-Wildlife

(I personally recommend the matte paper)

©Marc Harris/MarcHarrisWildlife