White-faced Ibises are striking wading birds found in Oregon, particularly in the wetlands east of the Cascades. Like many bird species, they exhibit differences in appearance depending on the season (breeding vs. non-breeding plumage) and subtle sexual dimorphism between males and females.

General Appearance (Both Sexes, All Seasons - unless specified):
Size and Shape: Medium-sized wading birds with long legs, a long neck, and a distinctive long, slender, strongly decurved (downward-curved) bill. They have a somewhat thick, oval-shaped body.
Plumage: At a distance, they often appear uniformly dark, almost blackish. However, in good light, their plumage reveals beautiful iridescent sheens of deep chestnut, maroon, metallic green, and bronze, especially on their wings and back.

Sexual Dimorphism (Subtle Differences):

Size: Males are generally larger and heavier than females, with noticeably longer bills. While this can be difficult to assess in the field for a single bird, it might be apparent when a breeding pair is observed together.

Plumage and Bare Parts by Season:
1. Breeding Plumage (Spring and Summer in Oregon - when they are most commonly seen):
This is when White-faced Ibises are at their most vibrant and truly live up to their name. Both sexes display these features:

Body Plumage: Rich, glossy maroon or chestnut on the head, neck, upper back, and undersides. The wings and tail show strong metallic green and bronze iridescence, sometimes with purplish overtones.
Facial Features: The most distinctive feature is the bright bare skin on the face, which is typically reddish-purple or carmine. This bare skin is bordered by a narrow, continuous band of white feathers around the eye and extending to the base of the bill. This "white face" is the key to identifying them in breeding plumage and distinguishing them from the very similar Glossy Ibis.
Eyes: The iris is a striking **red**.
Bill: The bill is typically olive-gray or creamy with reddish tints, with a brighter tip.
Legs and Feet: Legs and feet become a vibrant carmine red or bright pinkish-red.

2. Non-breeding Plumage (Fall and Winter in Oregon - less common, as many migrate south):
Both sexes lose some of their vibrant coloration:

Body Plumage: The overall plumage becomes duller and less glossy, appearing more matte brown or dusky. The iridescent sheens are still present but less pronounced.
Facial Features: The prominent white feather border around the face is absent. The bare facial skin becomes duller, often a grayish or dull pinkish-gray, and is no longer bordered by white feathers.
Eyes: Red eye color remains, though it might appear less intense.
Bill: The bill often becomes a duller olive-gray.
Legs and Feet: The bright red coloration of the legs fades to a duller olive-gray or blackish.

3. Juvenile Plumage:
Young White-faced Ibises are generally duller, often a paler brown overall, and lack the distinctive white facial outline and bright red legs of breeding adults. Their bare facial skin is duller, and their bills and legs are typically grayish. They can be particularly difficult to distinguish from juvenile Glossy Ibises.

Habitat and Behavior in Oregon:

In Oregon, White-faced Ibises are most commonly found in freshwater wetlands, flooded meadows, and agricultural fields in the eastern part of the state, particularly in the Harney, Lake, and Klamath Counties. They are colonial nesters, often breeding in mixed colonies with other wading birds in dense marsh vegetation. They feed by probing their long, decurved bills into shallow water, mud, or moist soil to find insects, crustaceans (especially crayfish), earthworms, and other invertebrates. They often forage in flocks and can be seen flying in distinctive V-formations.