ibis

American  

[ahy-bis] / ˈaɪ bɪs /

noun

plural

ibises,

plural

ibis

1. any of several large wading birds of the family Threskiornithidae, of warm temperate and tropical regions, related to the herons and storks, and characterized by a long, thin, downward-curved bill.

2. any of certain similar birds belonging to the stork family Ciconiidae, especially the wood stork, Mycteria americana.

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ibis British  

/ ˈaɪbɪs /

noun

1. any of various wading birds of the family Threskiornithidae, such as Threskiornis aethiopica ( sacred ibis ), that occur in warm regions and have a long thin down-curved bill: order Ciconiiformes (herons, storks, etc) Compare wood ibis

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Etymology

Origin of ibis

1350–1400; Middle English < Latin ībis < Greek îbis < Egyptian hb

Example Sentences

More than a hundred bird species, including ducks, geese, terns, ibis, herons, eagles and vultures, had been recorded in the area, alongside monkeys and small mammals.

From Barron's • Feb. 19, 2026

Since the beginning of the outbreak, California officials have found the virus in wild birds such as rock pigeons, white-faced ibis, and turkey vultures, as well as wild mammals including mountain lions, raccoons and skunks.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 6, 2025

The bird species included tawny frogmouths, laughing kookaburras, blue-faced honeyeaters, rainbow lorikeets, spotted doves and Brisbane favourite, the Australian white ibis.

From Science Daily • Dec. 8, 2023

There are few Australian animals more reviled than the white ibis.

From BBC • Nov. 24, 2022

Majestic trees tower high overhead, yielding undisturbed protection to the vulture and the white ibis.

From The Highlands of Ethiopia by Harris, William Cornwallis