While foraging in water, a white ibis will sweep its curved bill through the mud, searching for food.
The white ibis, Eudocimus albus, resides in the southern part of the United States, in Central American, and in northern South America. While crustaceans are the primary source of food for the bird, they also eat insects and other aquatic animals.
Types
Though the white ibis' diet varies, crabs and young crayfish typically comprise their standard diet. When foraging on land, the bird will eat various insects, snakes, and snails. Other food staples include frogs, small fish, and worms.
Foraging
The ibis has a long curved bill, making it an ideal hunter in water. The bird places its bill in the water, and using a sweeping motion, searches through mud and grass for prey. While foraging, it detects food through touch, and consumes the prey whole. The ibis also forages on land, though it relies more heavily on sight than on touch when doing so.
Fun Fact
The white ibis is known to steal food from other birds of their same species. Other larger species of birds, however, are known to take food from them. Furthermore, other birds will hunt in the area a white ibis has recently hunted, as they know the habitat of the prey has been disturbed.
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