Don Balke: White-faced Ibis

Artist: Don Balke
1932 -
Nationality: American
Artwork Year: 1986
Image Size: 12.75 by 10.75 inches
Overall Size: 21 by 19.125 inches
Medium: Water Color on Cold Press Illustration Board

Found along freshwater shores and swamps, the White-faced Ibis is very similar in nature to its Eastern cousin, the Glossy Ibis. Except during breeding when the White-faced Ibis acquires the facial plumes which give it its name, the two Ibises are visually indistinguishable. Like the Glossy Ibis, the White-faced feeds and nests in large colonies with herons, egrets and other Ibises. The White-faced Ibis prefers to feed in the muddy shallow bottomlands near its home. It uses its long sickle-shaped bill to seize its prey; its primary diet consists of small amphibians and freshwater crustaceans -- although it will sometimes feed on fish and earthworms. After satisfying its hunger, the White-faced Ibis returns to the noisy, crowded rookery and joins the rest of its flock. The Ibis' nests are built from dead reeds and twigs found along the shoreline, and are usually built on patches of floating vegetation. During breeding, the iridescent sheen of its body plumes contrasts with its dull white face. Both parents take an interest in incubating the four, pale blue-green eggs. They relieve one another with affectionate bill tapping and guttural cooing. In about three weeks the young appear covered with dull, blackish down, and by late summer they can fly and often wander from the breeding site. The use of pesticides is severely affecting the breeding of White-faced Ibises, and their numbers are steadily declining.

This painting was originally published on the Fleetwood® commemorative cover for Balke's Shorebirds of the 50 States, cancelled December 28, 1986.

Artwork Copyright © 1986 Unicover Corporation. All Rights Reserved under United States and international copyright laws. You may not reproduce, distribute, transmit, or otherwise exploit the Artwork in any way. Images of the Artwork may be watermarked and/or digitally watermarked. Any sale of the physical original does not include or convey the Copyright or any right comprised in the copyright.

Our Stock Number (SKU): XB10657

US$ Price: $1,250.00

Easy Purchase Plan: Buy this ArtworkOriginal with 8 monthly payments. Payments will be charged automatically as due to your Credit Card.

How to buy Original Artwork:

If you would like to buy Original Artwork, there are several convenient ways:

Use The Artwork Gallery: simply click the "Hang in Gallery" for pictures of interest. This puts the picture in your Personal Artwork Gallery, where you can view or remove it. When you've finished hanging artwork in your Personal Artwork Gallery, Go to your Personal Artwork Gallery and select an option for contacting us or ordering from us from there.

To get in touch with us directly about a piece of Artwork by Phone note the SKU and dial TOLL FREE 1-800-287-4079 from throughout U.S. and Canada.