White Ibis (Eudocimus albus)

This is part of a larger flock totaling 56 birds. We only saw them in flight and their whereabouts at other times was unknown. This nomadic species was considered accidental in New Jersey until the mid 1970's when they became more regular post-breeding visitors presumably from expanded breeding areas in North Carolina and southern Virginia. Here we have a mixture of adults and immatures. The adults are white with a pink bill and small amounts of black on their wing tips. They are in non-breeding (basic) plumage lacking the bright red bill and legs of breeding season (alternate plumage) birds. The immatures are white below and brown above with a white wedge up the back. I believe these white wedges are formative plumage. Note also one bird in the center has replaced its central rectrices (tail feathers). Juveniles have an all dark back and tail and it takes two years for them to acquire full adult plumage. Ibises were formerly classified with the storks and other long-legged waders in the order Ciconiiformes, but now ibises are included with the pelicans in Pelicaniformes.