Ibises

Glossy Ibis, Plegadis falcinellus

Family Threskiornithidae (Ibises)

Size: 23"

Season: Summer

Habitat: Freshwater or brackish marshes, bays, estuaries

The glossy ibis became established in the United States only recently and is gradually expanding its range. In appearance, it is like a small heron or a robust curlew and is nearly identical to the white-faced ibis (which does not occur in New England). It has long legs for wading, a short tail, thin neck, and a long, stout, decurved bill for probing deep into mud. The color is dark, chestnut brown overall, with darker, glossy, greenish-brown wings, two thin whitish lines between the eye and the bill, and dark eyes. Nonbreeding adults are darker overall with a speckled brown-and-white head and neck. Unlike herons, ibises fly with their necks outstretched, with quick wing beats punctuated by short glides. They walk through shallow water and mud, probing for a variety of prey including insects and crustaceans. The breeding adult is illustrated.