Glossy Ibis

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), Rio Salado, Maricopa County

There are only a handful of accepted records of Glossy Ibis from Arizona, all from this century. Like others reported and documented, this bird will be evaluated by the Arizona Bird Committee. Written notes or images from other observers of this bird would be appreciated.

Features suggestive of Glossy Ibis noted by Jack included:

The eye color appeared to be brown at all times, regardless of the angle the head was held. When the clouds broke to allow some sunlight, the eye remained brown.

The facial skin between the eye and beak was consistently dark gray. No trace of red could be seen as in the other two ibis specimens.

The facial skin had a thin outline that appeared to be slaty-white. The outline terminated above and below the eye.

The entire leg, joint, and foot color was a homogenous dark gray. No trace of a pink/red hue could be seen. The other two ibis had the faintest blush of red to the joints.

A plegadis ibis found at Rio Salado, Phoenix, AZ on 21 January 2007 by Tom Gaskill and photographed on 11 February 2007 by Jack Holloway.

Photographed 13 February by Marceline Vandewater