White-faced Ibis
by Don Balke
Title
White-faced Ibis
Artist
Don Balke
Medium
Painting - Watercolor On Cold Press Illustration Board
Description
Found along freshwater shores and swamps, the White-faced Ibis is very similar in nature to its Eastern cousin, the Glossy Ibis. Except during breeding when the White-faced Ibis acquires the facial plumes which give it its name, the two Ibises are visually indistinguishable. Like the Glossy Ibis, the White-faced feeds and nests in large colonies with herons, egrets and other Ibises. The White-faced Ibis prefers to feed in the muddy shallow bottomlands near its home. It uses its long sickle-shaped bill to seize its prey; its primary diet consists of small amphibians and freshwater crustaceans -- although it will sometimes feed on fish and earthworms. After satisfying its hunger, the White-faced Ibis returns to the noisy, crowded rookery and joins the rest of its flock. The Ibis' nests are built from dead reeds and twigs found along the shoreline, and are usually built on patches of floating vegetation. During breeding, the iridescent sheen of its body plumes contrasts with its dull white face. Both parents take an interest in incubating the four, pale blue-green eggs. They relieve one another with affectionate bill tapping and guttural cooing. In about three weeks the young appear covered with dull, blackish down, and by late summer they can fly and often wander from the breeding site. The use of pesticides is severely affecting the breeding of White-faced Ibises, and their numbers are steadily declining.
Please note the "Fine Art America" watermark will not appear on the painting or any print reproduction.
Artwork Copyright © 1986 Wind River Studios Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the Copyright. WRSH Stock Number XB10657
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April 7th, 2022
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