American White Ibis (Juvenile)
Eudocimus albus

f5 @ 1/1000s, ISO:640, Nikon D3S w 500mm


\"American White Ibis,\" Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. The gray to sandy gray brown juvenile plumage appears between weeks two and six, and face and bill become pink a few weeks later, while the legs remain gray. The irises have turned slate-gray by this stage. Once fledged, the juvenile American white ibis has largely brown plumage and only the rump, underwing and underparts are white. The legs become light orange. As it matures, white feathers begin appearing on the back and it undergoes a gradual molt to obtain the white adult plumage. This is mostly complete by the end of the second year, although some brown feathers persist on the head and neck until the end of the third year. Juvenile birds take around two years to reach adult size and weight.
Ritch Grissom Memorial Wetlands, Viera, Florida
 
04/19/2016