Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), Buckeye, near Jackrabbit and Southern, Maricopa County

This Glossy Ibis was discovered and photographed by Dominic Sherony on 06 April 2012.

Casual to rare, but apparently increasing visitor to Arizona. Likely more regular than the few records suggest due to difficulty in picking them out of the more widespread and abundant White-faced Ibis flocks and the difficulty of separating them from hybrids. 

This bird shows the brown eye, brownish-gray facial skin bordered by pale lines that separate Glossy Ibis from White-faced Ibis.  All White-faced Ibis would have red eyes by now.  There is nothing in this bird that suggests that it is a hybrid.  Most hybrids would show some reddish in the facial skin. 

06 April 2012, photo by Dominic Sherony

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