Glossy Ibis (us-RGV)
From WikiBird
Contents |
Regional Information
Range, Abundance, and Seasonal Variations
Directions and Maps
General Information
Size
Length: 55-65cm (21.6-25.6in), Wingspan: 88-105cm (34.6-41.3in)
Field Marks
Medium-sized long-legged long-necked wader. Bill long, dark gray, and decurved. Dark brown eye. Holds neck extended in flight. Adult breeding: Bare facial skin at lores is blue-gray, bare facial skin bordered partially with a white or pale blue band that is of varying width and does not encircle the back of the eye. Legs gray to dull red, head, neck, back and belly an iridescent purple-red, appearing entirely dark or black at a distance or in poor light. Iridescent green wings and tail. Adult non-breeding: Gray facial skin, border to bare facial skin still present but dull gray, gray-green legs, head, neck, back and belly a duller gray-brown without iridescence. Head and neck streaked with white. Immature: Dull gray brown head, neck, back and belly sometimes with white streaking. Facial skin dull blue-gray. Develops dull gray border during first autumn. Gray-green legs. Sexes similar.
Similar species
Curlews also have long decurved bills but are much smaller, brown above and white below, not black and iridescent. Immature White Ibis has a white belly. The White-faced Ibis is very similar in all plumages. Adult White-faced Ibis has a red, not brown, eye. In alternate plumage the White-faced Ibis has an even white band around the bare red facial skin and has redder legs. Immatures are extremely similar.
Sounds
Sounds made by this rather quiet ibis include a variety of croaks and grunts, including a hoarse grrrr made when breeding.
Feeding & Behavior
Gregarious when feeding in marshy wetlands; it predates on fish, frogs and other water creatures, as well as occasionally on insects.
Habitat & Nesting
Nests colonially in trees, often with herons.
Range
Found in subtropical Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is also found in the Caribbean and along the U.S. coast from Texas to Maine. Most European birds winter in Africa.
Resources
