Long-Legged WADERS of South America
The long-legged waders are comprised of the egrets, herons, ibises, spoonbills, storks, and flamingos. They are a diverse group, united by their long legs that enable them to wade for food. The egrets and herons are in the Ardeidae family, while the ibises and spoonsbill belong to Threskiornithidae. These two families belong to the same order and it is considered by some to be the same order as the storks (Ciconiiformes), but DNA information is prompting them to be moved to a different order. The flamingos belong to their own order, Phoenicopteriformes.
Ibis
Order Ciconiiformes disputed Family Threskiornithidae
Ibises and spoonbills are closely related. Their most striking difference is in bill shape, with the ibises having curved bills and the spoonbills having straight bills that are broad at the end. Ibises use their bills to probe in mud, while spoonbills move their side to side in the water to catch prey. At night they roost in trees that are near and often overhanging water.
Genus Eudocimus
Ibis, Scarlet Eudocimus ruber Found: North America (perhaps escaped from captivity), S. America
Photographed by: 1) Dick Daniels - Sylvan Heights 2, 4) Sandy Cole - Birds of Eden, South Africa 3) Dick - Birds of Eden
3, 4) Juvenile
Ibis, White also American White Ibis Eudocimus albus Found: The Americas
Photographed by: 1, 2, 3) Dick Daniels - North Carolina 6, 7) Dick Daniels in North Carolina 5, 8) Dick - Florida
4) Alan D. Wilson - Laguna Madre Nature Trail, South Padre Island, Texas
Juvenile has brown
Genus Mesembrinibis - 1 species
Ibis, Green Mesembrinibis cayennensis Found: Central and South America
Photographed by: 1) Dario Sanches in Brazil
Genus Phimosus - 1 species
Ibis, Bare-faced Phimosus infuscatus Found: South America
Photograqphed by: 1, 2) Cláudio Timm in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
Genus Plegadis
Ibis, Glossy Plegadis falcinellus Found: The Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia
The Glossy Ibis and White-faced Ibis are quite similar in appearance and behavior, especially in nonbreeding season. The White-faced Ibis is found only in the Americas, so there should not be identification problems in other parts of the world.
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4) Alan D. Wilson near The Visitor's Center, Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge, California
5) Dick - Flamingo Gardens, Florida 6) Dick - Flamingo Gardens, Florida
1) Breeding 2, 3) Nonbreeding
Ibis, Puna Plegadis ridgwayi Found: South America
Photographed by: Thomas Quine
Ibis, White-faced Plegadis chihi Found: The Americas
The Glossy Ibis and White-faced Ibis are quite similar in appearance and behavior, especially in nonbreeding season.
3, 4, 5) Cláudio Timm in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
5) Juvenile
Genus Theristicus
Ibis, Black-faced Theristicus melanopis Found southern South America
Located farther south than the similar Buff-necked Ibis
4) Juvenile
Ibis, Buff-necked also White-throated Ibis Theristicus caudatus Found: South America
Photographed by Dario Sanches
Note the large white wing area as contrasted with the Black-faced Ibis.
Ibis, Plumbeous Theristicus caerulescens Found: South America
Photographer by: 1) Dario Niz - Uruguay 2, 3) Cláudio Timm in Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
All photos on this site are available for general use. Please credit the photographer. Some images have additional constraints such as no commercial use or no modifications. Click the photo credit link for details. Dick Daniels, webmaster.