Bay Delta Region
Biological Resources
- Longfin smelt incidental take order and management documents
- Chinese Mitten Crab
- Reports & Publications
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Main Office
7329 Silverado Trail
Napa, CA 94558
(707) 944-5500
Stockton Office
2109 Arch Airport Rd
Stockton, CA 95206
(209) 948-7800
Acting Regional Manager:
Scott Wilson
Related Programs
Stanislaus River Report
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Stanislaus River Basin and Calaveras River Water Use Program Threatened and Endangered Species Report - March 1995 Bay Delta and Special Water Projects Division, CA Dept of Fish and Game
White-faced IbisPlegadis chihiCalifornia Department of Fish and Game "Species of Special Concern" Life HistoryThe white-faced ibis inhabits fresh emergent wetlands. It is about 23 inches long with a long bill that curves slightly downward. It has red eyes and legs, a reddish bill, and a border of white feathers that is just behind the facial skin and extends behind the eye all the way around the face.The ibis prefers to feed in fresh emergent wetlands, and shallow lacustrine waters. The muddy grounds of wet meadows, irrigated or flooded pastures, and croplands where the long bill enables it to probe deep into the mud. The ibis diet consists of earthworms, insects, crustaceans, amphibians, small fishes, and miscellaneous invertebrates. Extensive marshes are required for nesting. Here nests are constructed of dead cattails or tules and built either in tall marsh plants or on mounds of vegetation. The ibis can be a colonial nester and those nests within a colony were found to be about seven feet apart. A requirement for nesting is the proximity of suitable foraging areas. Clutch sizes average three to five eggs which are incubated for about 21 days. The young are fed in or near the nest for about five weeks.
Findings and ConclusionsBecause of the loss of marshes throughout California, regular breeding in the state has stopped. There have been reports of isolated nesting, but regular nesting has been inconsistent. Elsewhere in the range pesticides have also been found to have caused a decline in numbers.The white-faced ibis is considered a rare visitor to the Central Valley. It may be found during the winter when it is migrating through the valley and transients may also be present at other times of the year foraging and flying throughout the day. No ibis was observed or reported along the Stanislaus River and it is doubtful that projects along the river would have any impact on the species.
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