Ibis, << EYE bihs, >> is a group of wading birds found in warm regions throughout the world. Ibises range from 18 to 42 inches (46 to 107 centimeters) in length. They have a long neck, long legs, and a long, thin bill that curves downward. There are more than 20 species (kinds).
Ibises usually live near water. They eat various small animals, including crayfish, fish, frogs, and insects. Ibises nest in colonies of up to several thousand birds. They build nests of sticks or other plant matter. The females lay three or four eggs that hatch in three or four weeks. Both parents care for the eggs and the young.
The glossy ibis lives in warm areas around the world. This bird is gleaming purplish-brown with a bluish bill. The white ibis is common along the Atlantic Coast of North America. It is white with a red face and bill. The scarlet ibis, which is brightly colored, lives in South America. The sacred ibis of Africa is black and white.
