Bird field guide · Ibises and Spoonbills

Photographing the White-faced Ibis

How to photograph the White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (April and May).

55–85 cm1/2000 s
White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)
Photo: no rights reserved, uploaded by Kahio Tiberio Mazon via iNaturalist
55–85 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/500 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/6.3–f/8
Aperture
32,402
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/500 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/6.3–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionHerons and egrets stand still for long periods — wait for the strike or take-off and use continuous AF.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 70 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)83 mm125 mm56 mm42 mm
10 m (33 ft)167 mm251 mm111 mm83 mm
15 m (49 ft)250 mm376 mm167 mm125 mm
20 m (66 ft)334 mm501 mm223 mm167 mm
30 m (98 ft)501 mm752 mm334 mm250 mm
50 m (164 ft)834 mm1,253 mm556 mm417 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 7% Jan Feb: 6% Feb Mar: 8% Mar Apr: 15% Apr May: 13% May Jun: 7% Jun Jul: 7% Jul Aug: 8% Aug Sep: 9% Sep Oct: 7% Oct Nov: 6% Nov Dec: 6% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: April and May.

About the White-faced Ibis#

The white-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi) is a wading bird in the ibis family, Threskiornithidae.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Feeding flocks move steadily — track and wait for the head-up moment.
  • Herons and egrets stand still for long periods — wait for the strike or take-off and use continuous AF.
  • Sightings peak in April and May, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Ibises and Spoonbills#

White Ibis White IbisEudocimus albus Roseate Spoonbill Roseate SpoonbillPlatalea ajaja Glossy Ibis Glossy IbisPlegadis falcinellus

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a White-faced Ibis?

At about 70 cm long, a white-faced ibis fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 167 mm, or at 20 m with 334 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a White-faced Ibis?

1/500 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a White-faced Ibis?

Observations in North America peak in April and May. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources