The Miami Hurricanes mascot is an ibis , specifically an American white ibis named Sebastian the Ibis.

What kind of bird it is

  • Sebastian represents an American white ibis, a wading marsh bird common in the Everglades and South Florida.
  • The ibis was officially adopted as the University of Miami’s mascot in 1926 and later personified as Sebastian the Ibis.

Why an ibis for “Hurricanes”?

  • Local folklore says the ibis is the last bird to seek shelter before a hurricane and the first to come back after the storm, symbolizing resilience and clear skies returning.
  • That behavior made the ibis a fitting symbol for a team called the Hurricanes, tying the bird’s reputation directly to storm lore in South Florida.

Fun notes fans often mention

  • Many casual viewers think Sebastian is a duck or pelican, but the school and its history are very clear that he is an ibis.
  • Sebastian has become one of college football’s most recognizable bird mascots, leading the team out of the tunnel and hyping the crowd at games.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.