White Ibis were doing their evening ablutions at Crandon Gardens park in Key Biscayne. Their long, curved beaks work well for preening.
White Ibis preening
The fellow on the right is a juvenile. Very young Ibis are mostly mottled brown and get more white feathers as they get older. This one just has a few dark feathers on the head.
Adult and juvenile Ibis bathing
When the Ibis are ready to breed, their legs, beaks and lores turn from salmon color (back, left bird) to a deep red (front pair).
Bathing Ibis trio
The bathing gets quite exuberant.
The University of Miami Hurricanes mascot is the White Ibis. The story is the Ibis are the last to leave and first to return after a hurricane. Another story is the University of Miami colors of orange, white and green come from the Ibis. You can see this fellow showing off its irridesent green wingtips.
Ibis wingspread
The clean Ibis is ready for its close-up.
