1. Egg: White ibises lay their eggs in stick nests built in trees or shrubs. Each clutch typically contains 2-5 eggs.
2. Incubation: The eggs are incubated by both the female and male ibis for approximately 21 days.
3. Hatching: After hatching, the chicks are altricial, meaning they are helpless and rely on their parents for food and care.
4. Nestling stage: During the nestling stage, which lasts for about 3-4 weeks, the chicks are fed by their parents, who bring them regurgitated food.
5. Fledging: Once the chicks are fully feathered and strong enough to fly, they fledge from the nest and begin to learn to forage on their own.
6. Juvenile stage: The juvenile white ibises continue to grow and mature over several months. They are distinguishable from adults by their duller plumage and lack of a red facial patch.
7. Adult stage: Adult white ibises are characterized by their white plumage, long red legs, and a red facial patch. They typically reach sexual maturity at around 2-3 years of age and can live for up to 20 years in the wild.
The white ibis primarily inhabits freshwater marshes, wetlands, and coastal areas. They are social birds and often live in colonies, which can sometimes be very large. These birds feed on a variety of aquatic invertebrates and small fish that they probe in shallow waters.
White ibises typically migrate seasonally, moving south during the winter months and north during the summer to find suitable feeding and nesting grounds.