Nesting and Young
White ibis breed communally in large colonies sometimes numbering in the thousands of birds.
The male and female build their loose platform-type nests together using dried and fresh twigs, leaves, and roots. Once completed, the nest is lined with fresh leaves.
The nest location can be anywhere from eight to fifteen feet off the ground.
Breeding, and nesting, occurs between February and October. The female lays two to four eggs that are bluish or greenish in color with brown splotches and speckles. Both parents incubate the eggs for from 21 – 23 days. The chicks are semi-altricial when they hatch and the mother ibis feeds them by regurgitating food into their bills. The white ibis chicks are black with pink and black bills, a light grey underbelly, and gray legs. In about three weeks the young are able to fly and forage for food with their parents.