The white ibis is a wading bird known for its distinctive long, downward-curving orange-red bill and bright white plumage, with black wing tips visible during flight. This bird primarily inhabits the southeastern United States, including Florida and parts of the Gulf Coast, extending its range into Central America, the Caribbean, and as far south as northern South America. Favoring wetland habitats such as marshes, swamps, and mangroves, the white ibis often feeds in shallow water, using its sensitive bill to probe for small aquatic animals like crustaceans, insects, and small fish. It has also adapted to urban areas, including parks, lawns, and drainage ditches, where food sources are available. The white ibis is social, forming large flocks and often nesting in colonies with other wading bird species. It is known to exhibit a unique feeding behavior where it uses one foot to stir the mud, flushing out hidden prey. The estimated global population of the white ibis is in the hundreds of thousands, indicating that it remains a plentiful species across its range.