ibis
1
4.4
- noun
- /ˈaɪbɪs/
:
ibis
- There are usually large colonies of white ibis with their curved orange beaks busy feeding in the swamp or the nearby marshes.
- a white ibis
Examples
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A bird enthusiast's dream, the islands are an essential breeding area for colonies of ibis, pelicans, spoonbills, cormorants, silver gulls, and terns.
Blog text (30) -
Did you know that the scarlet ibis' color comes from the shrimp it eats?
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As a result, Florida lists the white ibis as a species of special concern.
Academic text (1994) -
Other birds found at different times of the year included the peregrine falcon, steppe eagle, garganery teal, and white ibis.
Academic text (2005) -
The long, slender bill of the ibis helps it forage for food in mud and shallow water.
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Tourists often visit wetlands to observe the striking plumage of the ibis as it wades in the water.
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In many cultures, the ibis is considered a symbol of knowledge and is associated with ancient deities.
Synonyms
2
6.3
A wading bird with long legs and a long curved bill often found in wetlands
Compounds
- South African
A large white wading bird from Africa with a bare black head and neck, often shown in ancient Egyptian art
- US
A large wading bird with a long bill that curves down and lives in wooded swamps in the Americas
Surface Forms
Etymology
Ibis comes from an old Greek word ibis, borrowed from ancient Egypt where the bird was often 'sacred' and shown in pictures with the god Thoth. So, when you hear ibis, think of the tall wading bird with a long, downward-curving bill.