Ibises are wading birds found in wetlands, marshes, and muddy shorelines around the world. As omnivores, ibises have a varied diet that includes insects, crustaceans, fish, frogs, small reptiles, seeds, and plants.
What do ibises eat in the wild?
Ibises are opportunistic feeders that forage for food while wading through shallow water. Their long, curved bills are specialized for probing into mud or sand to catch prey. An ibis’s diet depends on its habitat and what food sources are readily available. Some of their common wild foods include:
- Insects – Crickets, grasshoppers, beetles, flies, dragonflies, caterpillars, and larvae
- Worms – Earthworms, ragworms, bloodworms
- Crustaceans – Crabs, crayfish, shrimp
- Mollusks – Snails, mussels, clams
- Frogs and tadpoles
- Small fish
- Rodents – Rats, mice, voles
- Reptiles – Lizards, small snakes
- Spiders
- Seeds of grasses, sedges, and aquatic plants
- Aquatic plants – Algae, hydrilla, duckweed, pondweeds
- Berries and fruits
Ibises use their long bills to probe through mud or flick away debris while searching for prey. They may sweep their bills side to side through shallow water stirring up food sources. Their curved bill shapes help them extract prey items from mud or aquatic vegetation. Ibises swallow small fish, frogs, insects, and worms whole. For larger food items like crabs or crayfish, they may bash or pound the item against the ground to break off edible pieces. Ibises forage both day and night depending on food availability.
What do ibises eat in captivity?
In zoos and wildlife parks, the ibis diet is designed to mimic their natural food intake. Their diet varies by species but typically includes:
- Insects – Mealworms, crickets, grasshoppers
- Aquatic fish – Minnows, goldfish, trout
- Shrimp, krill, crayfish
- Rodents – Mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits
- Ground meat
- Eggs
- Fruits and vegetables – Apples, grapes, melons, leafy greens
- Dry food pellets supplemented with vitamins and minerals
- Grit – Gravel or coarse grains to help grind up food in the stomach
Ibises are usually fed twice per day. Food items are scattered throughout their enclosure to encourage natural foraging behaviors. Caretakers may hide insects, fish, or rodents under logs or in crevices. Puzzle feeders may be used to simulate extraction of prey. A shallow pool is sometimes provided so ibises can dabble for live food like minnows. In addition to natural food items, commercial bird pellets help ensure ibises get the proper nutrition.
What do baby ibises eat?
Baby ibises have specialized diets to support their rapid growth and development. Very young ibises start on a diet of regurgitated food from the parents. This partially digested fish, insects, or frogs allows the chick to easily digest its first solid foods. Within a few weeks, chicks transition to eating pre-killed food items supplied by the parents. These may include small pieces of fish, shrimp, insects, worms, and rodents. As they get older, juvenile ibises gradually begin foraging with the adults and learn to catch live prey independently while still getting supplemental feedings.
In captivity, baby ibises are hand-reared or parent-reared. Hand-reared chicks are fed with forceps, syringes, or tubes. They are given pureed mixtures specifically formulated for growing ibises, including:
- Ground meat
- Whole prey like mice or fish
- Insect larvae
- Eggs
- Fruits
- Commercial bird hand-feeding formulas
- Vitamin and calcium supplements
Parent-reared chicks are fed by their natural parents but may get supplemental feedings from caretakers. The parents bring regurgitated food to the nest. All baby ibises have access to shallow water bowls in the nest to practice catching live food. They are slowly introduced to the adult diet as they learn to forage.
What fruits and vegetables can ibises eat?
Ibises are omnivores so they can eat a wide variety of fruits and veggies as part of a balanced diet. Some good options include:
Fruits | Vegetables |
---|---|
Apple | Lettuce |
Melon | Kale |
Berries | Peas |
Mango | Sweet potato |
Pear | Broccoli |
Papaya | Carrots |
Banana | Green beans |
Grapes | Squash |
Fruits and vegetables provide important vitamins, minerals, and fiber. But they should only be a supplementary part of the diet, not the main caloric intake. Ibises still need adequate protein from insects, fish, rodents or commercial bird food.
Fruits and veggies for ibises should be chopped into small pieces. Any uneaten fresh food should be removed within an hour or so to prevent spoilage. Provide a variety to keep their diet interesting. Rotate different produce regularly.
What human foods are dangerous for ibises?
Some human foods can be harmful to ibises and should be avoided. Do not feed ibises:
- Chocolate – Contains toxic theobromine
- Caffeine – Found in coffee, tea, soda, energy drinks
- Alcohol
- Avocado – Contains persin, toxic to birds
- Apple seeds – Contain trace amounts of cyanide
- Onions, garlic, chives – Can cause anemia
- Dried beans or legumes – Contain hemagglutinin, toxic for birds
- Salty foods
- Moldy or spoiled produce
Any human food should be fed sparingly and make up less than 10% of total diet. Avoid sugary foods or processed snacks that have low nutritional value. Stick to fruits, veggies, whole grains, and lean proteins if supplementing with human food.
Can ibises eat bread?
Bread should only be fed to ibises on rare occasions as a treat. The simple carbohydrates and lack of nutrients do not contribute good nutritional value. Too much bread can lead to obesity and vitamin deficiencies. If fed as a treat, make sure bread is broken into tiny pieces and only a few crumbs at a time.
Can ibises eat chicken?
Cooked plain chicken can occasionally be fed to ibises as part of a balanced diet. It provides lean protein. Make sure there are no bones, no salt or seasonings added. Chicken should be shredded into tiny pieces and fed sparingly. Do not make it an everyday food since ibises need more variety.
Can ibises eat meat?
In the wild, ibises will eat small rodents, frogs, fish and even carrion as part of their omnivorous diet. So they can digest meat proteins. Captive ibises are sometimes fed ground turkey, beef, chicken, or whole prey like mice. Lean meats can offer added protein but should only supplement the main diet. Meat should always be fresh and thoroughly cooked with no added salt, oil, or spices.
Can ibises eat eggs?
Hard boiled or scrambled eggs make a healthy treat for ibises a few times per week. Eggs provide protein, vitamins, and fatty acids for skin and feather health. The egg should be well-cooked with no runny parts and diced into small pieces. Do not feed raw eggs due to the risk of salmonella poisoning.
Can ibises eat gravel or grit?
Ibises do intentionally ingest grit such as sand, fine gravel, or coarse grains. These grit particles lodge in their gizzard and help physically grind up and digest food since ibises do not have teeth. In captivity, special bird gravel or pellets are provided for better digestion. The gizzard contracts to crush food against the gravel.
What is the best diet for a pet ibis?
For a pet ibis, it’s important to recreate their diverse, omnivorous diet. A good daily diet may include:
- Base diet of high quality bird pellets made for long-billed shorebirds
- Live insects like crickets, mealworms, waxworms
- Chopped fruits and veggies
- Occasional treats of boiled egg, cooked meat or fish, bird-safe human foods
- Access to a shallow water dish for bathing and catching live insects and small fish
The bulk of the diet should be bird pellets to make sure all nutritional needs are met. Supplement with a variety of fresh foods for diversity. Use puzzle feeders and incorporate foraging enrichment games. Make sure fresh water is always available. Monitor the ibis’s droppings and health to ensure the diet is being digested properly.
Tips for feeding pet ibises
- Purchase high quality bird pellets specifically formulated for long-billed birds
- Choose fruits and veggies high in vitamins like berries, kale, squash
- Wash all produce thoroughly before feeding
- Chop into bite-size pieces no larger than 1/2 inch
- Remove uneaten fresh food within an hour
- Hide or scatter food to encourage natural foraging
- Use puzzle feeders, boxes, tubes to make eating more challenging
- Rotate food regularly to provide variety
- Avoid overfeeding – follow portions on packaging
- Provide a shallow water tub for bathing and live food catching
- Monitor droppings for proper digestion
- Give gravel or bird gizzard pellets for digestion
- Consult an avian vet on any concerns about nutrition
Conclusion
Ibises are versatile eaters that thrive on an omnivorous diet. Feed them a variety of bird pellets, insects, fish, produce, and proteins to mimic their natural foraging habits. Avoid toxic human foods and focus on nutrition and enrichment. With a balanced, diverse diet, and ample fresh water, an ibis pet or zoo specimen can live a long, healthy life.