White-faced x Glossy Ibis (Plegadis chihi X P. falcinellus), Lake Havasu City WTP, Mohave County

This White-faced x Glossy Ibis was discovered on 17 April 2012 and photographed the next day by Tim Schreckengost.

Glossy Ibis is rare but possibily increasing visitor to Arizona.  Glossy and White-faced Ibis hybridize regularly and, if Glossy Ibis is expanding west, such hybrids may become more frequent as well.

The bird appears to be an adult White-faced x Glossy hybrid. This bird shows narrow pale borders to the facial skin and lack of white feathering around the face similar to Glossy Ibis, but the facial skin has a reddish tinge and the iris is red, which is typical of a White-faced Ibis.

18 April 2012, photo by Tim Schreckengost

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