wood ibis

noun

1. any of several storks of the subfamily Mycteriinae, especially Mycteria americana, of the warm parts of America, and Ibis ibis, of Africa, having chiefly white plumage and a featherless head and resembling the true ibises in having curved bills: M. Americana is endangered.

wood ibis

noun

1. any of several storks having a downward-curved bill, esp Mycteria americana of America and Ibis ibis of Africa

Word History and Origins

Origin of wood ibis¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85

Example Sentences

The wood ibis is larger than either of the other two; its general plumage is white, the tips of the wings and the tail being of a purplish-black.

From Project Gutenberg

The common ibises in the ponds near by—which usually went in pairs, instead of in flocks like the wood ibis—were very tame, and so were the night herons and all the small herons.

From Project Gutenberg

An aged and sickly wood ibis was killed by a whooping crane; and a night heron killed its mate.

From Project Gutenberg