All extant species are capable of flight, but two extinct genera were flightless, namely the kiwi-like Apteribis in the Hawaiian Islands, and the peculiar Xenicibis in Jamaica.

Extinct ibis species include the following: Most ibises are freshwater wetland birds using natural marshes, ponds, lakes, riversides for foraging.

[19] The foraging and nesting behaviour, and fluctuating numbers of the white ibis matches closely with water levels in the Everglades ecosystem leading to its selection as a potential indicator species for the system.

[25] The African sacred ibis was an object of religious veneration in ancient Egypt,[26] particularly associated with the deity Djehuty or otherwise commonly referred to in Greek as Thoth.

[29] According to local legend in the Birecik area, the northern bald ibis was one of the first birds that Noah released from the Ark as a symbol of fertility,[30] and a lingering religious sentiment in Turkey helped the colonies there to survive long after the demise of the species in Europe.

The short story "The Scarlet Ibis" by James Hurst uses the red bird as foreshadowing for a character's death and as the primary symbol.

[34] The Australian white ibis has become a focus of art, pop culture, and memes since rapidly adapting to city life in recent decades, and has earned the popular nicknames "bin chicken" and "tip turkey".

[36][37] In April 2022, Queensland sports minister Stirling Hinchliffe suggested the ibis as a potential mascot for the 2032 Olympic Games, which are scheduled to be held in Brisbane.