Glossy Ibis

Plegadis falcinellus

HOW TO IDENTIFY:

* Length: 19 inches Wingspan: 37 inches
* Sexes similar
* Medium-sized long-legged long-necked wader
* Bill long, dark gray, and decurved
* Dark brown eye
* Holds neck extended in flight

Adult alternate:

* Bare facial skin at lores is blue-gray
* Bare facial skin bordered partially with a white or pale blue band that is of varying width and does not encircle the back of the eye
* Legs gray to dull red
* Head, neck, back and belly an iridescent purple-red, appearing entirely dark or black at a distance or in poor light
* Iridescent green wings and tail

Adult basic:

* Gray facial skin
* Border to bare facial skin still present but dull gray
* Gray-green legs
* Head, neck, back and belly a duller gray-brown without iridescence
* Head and neck streaked with white

Immature:

* Dull gray brown head, neck, back and belly sometimes with white streaking
* Facial skin dull blue-gray, develops dull gray border during first autumn
* Gray-green legs

Similar species:
Curlews also have long decurved bills but are much smaller, brown above and white below, not black and iridescent. Immature White Ibis has a white belly. The White-faced Ibis is very similar in all plumages. Adult White-faced Ibis has a red, not brown, eye. In alternate plumage the White-faced Ibis has an even white band around the bare red facial skin and has redder legs. Immatures are extremely similar.