Yesterday at my local marsh, several birders were really excited about the unexpected presence of a pair of Glossy Ibises (Plegadis falcinellus). I missed seeing them fly in, but spent almost an hour watching them forage in the distance, listening to the debate among the birders about whether these were Glossy Ibises or White-faced Ibises—they concluded the birds were Glossy Ibises.
I think that these strange-looking wading birds tend to be found nearer the coast and it is relatively rare, though not unprecedented, to have them at our marsh. I was not able to get any close-up shots, but I did manage to take some photos that show their downward-curved bills and colorful breeding plumage. The last shot really gives you a sense of the color—one of the ibises opened its wings to hop over a little patch of water.
Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved
Mike Powell 