American White Ibis vs Scarlet Ibis

American White Ibis

Eudocimus albus

Large890 gWetland

The white plumage and pink facial skin of adult American white ibises are distinctive. Adults have black wingtips that are usually only visible in flight. In non-breeding condition the long downcurved bill and long legs are bright red-orange. During the first ten days of the breeding season, the skin darkens to a deep pink on the bill and an almost purple-tinted red on the legs. It then fades to a paler pink, and the tip of the bill becomes blackish. It is difficult to determine the sex of an adult American white ibis from its external appearance, since the sexes have similar plumage.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Bernard Gagnon · CC0

Scarlet Ibis

Eudocimus ruber

Large660 gWetland

Adult plumage is virtually all scarlet. The feathers may show various tints and shades, but only the tips of their wings deviate from their namesake color. A small but reliable marking, these wingtips are a rich inky black (or occasionally dark blue) and are found only on the longest primaries – otherwise the birds' coloration is "a vivid orange-red, almost luminous in quality." Scarlet ibises have red bills and feet; however, the bill is sometimes blackish, especially toward the end. They have a long, narrow, decurved bill. Their legs and neck are long and extended in flight.

ID text from Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 4.0

Photo: Jaime Spaniol · CC0

Photos and recordings are credited to their authors under the licence shown. Full profiles: American White Ibis and Scarlet Ibis.