Coastal Lawn Ornaments

Here in coastal North Carolina it’s not unusual to see wading birds from the estuary walking on a neighbor’s lawn. The White Ibis (Eudocimus albus) is a frequent visitor along the streets of town, probing for food in the grass.

Not particularly afraid of humans, Ibises often ignore you until you get too close. Then they simply relocate, flying or dashing into another yard.

The White Ibis seeks out lawns in town due to an affinity for freshly-mowed grass. After all, it’s easy to scour for insects and other organisms stirred up by a lawn mower.

We should be grateful to the White Ibis for providing this sort of natural lawn care and pest control, right? Nevertheless, folks still mock them with names like “lawn chicken” or “grub hunter” or “pond scoggins.”

Yes, ibises do spend time foraging in natural habitats too, in the marshes or mudflats, ponds or grassy fields.

Fascinating facts about White Ibises.

The long, curved bill of this species is specially adapted for underground feeding.

• There are nostrils at the base of the bill, so an ibis can breathe while the bill is deep in water, mud or grass.
• There are sensitive feelers on the inside of the ibis’s bill to help identify food, sight unseen.
• Once an ibis finds food, the forceps-shaped bill can swallow small items whole or break up large items into edible pieces.
• And all that happens while the bill is underground!

If you liked this post about the ibis, here are related bird posts to visit:

• Grub Hunters >>
• Wild Turkeys >>
• Long-legged Waders >>
• Coastal Sunbathers >>