Glossy ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
Identification Tips:
- Sexes similar
- Medium-sized long-legged long-necked wader
- Bill long, dark gray, and decurved
- Dark brown eye
- Holds neck extended in flight
Adult alternate:
- 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 basic:
- 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
Similar species:
Curlews much smaller, brown above and white below, not black
and iridescent. Immature White Ibis has a white belly. Adult
White-faced Ibis is very similar but has red eye. In alternate
plumage the White-faced Ibis has an even white band around the bare
red facial skin while in basic plumage the gray facial skin is not
encircled with white. Legs redder in alternate plumage on
White-faced Ibis. Brown-eyed immatures can be identified by dull gray
border to the facial skin.