(Pictured: Snowy egret and an Ibis).
If you live in SW Florida it’s likely you’ve seen both of these white tropical birds making their way slowly through your yard; either an ibis or an egret. Here are a few facts about each bird and how you can tell them apart.
If it’s a white bird with a slender, reddish-orange, down-curved bill, red legs, and a football-shaped body, you’re looking at an ibis. They are medium-sized birds that range in length from 22 to 30 inches and as they probe through your grass they’re looking for earthworms, insect larvae, grubs, and frogs. They’re actually very beneficial in helping rid yards, gardens and crops of insects that are harmful to plants. You can also find flocks of ibis searching through areas of mud or in a marsh on the hunt for crustaceans, small fish and snails, and in general feed as a group. In flight the white ibis is beautiful with its out-stretched black-tipped wings. Did you know, ibises can live up to 25 years and the University of Miami mascot is a white Ibis named Sebastian The Ibis!
The other populous white bird you’re liable to spot is the snowy egret. They are distinguishable from the ibis because the snowy egret has a slender black, straight bill, black legs, yellow feet, yellow patch around the eyes, and a fluffy white plume on its head/neck. In 1886 the plume of the snowy egret was valued at twice the price of gold by the fashion industry, for use on women’s hats. Consequently, snowy egrets were killed for their plumes almost to the point of extinction, until reforms were passed in the early twentieth century.
Snowy egrets grow to about two feet in length and have a wingspan of about three feet. They feed on a diverse collection of egret delicacies such as small fish, crabs, crustaceans, snakes, young frogs, small lizards, crayfish, insects, snails, and aquatic vegetation. You're likely to observe a solitary egret as they don't travel in groups as do the ibises. Snowy egrets have a lifespan of about 16 years.
So now you know a little bit about two of SW Florida's most common tropical birds.
If you like bird watching or just love living around beautiful wildlife, SW Florida is the place for you.
At Cape Waterfront Living, we can help you make SW Florida your home by finding you your dream house in a wonderful location.