Glossy Ibis

## Description

The glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus ) is a water bird in the order Pelecaniformes and the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae. The scientific name derives from Ancient Greek plegados and Latin, falcis, both meaning "sickle" and referring to the distinctive shape of the bill.

## Appearance

The Glossy ibis is a medium-sized wading bird. They have long, slender, down-curved bill and magnificent plumage with shiny feathers. Breeding adults have reddish-brown bodies and shiny bottle-green wings. Non-breeders and juveniles have duller bodies. These birds have dark facial skin bordered above and below in blue-gray (non-breeding) to cobalt blue (breeding) and red-brown legs. Unlike herons, ibises fly with necks outstretched, their flight being graceful and often in V formation.

## Distribution

The Glossy ibis is the most widespread ibis species; it breeds in warm regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Atlantic and Caribbean regions of the Americas. This species is migratory; most European birds winter in Africa, and in North America birds from north of the Carolinas winter farther south. Though generally suspected to be a migratory species in India, the Glossy ibis is a resident in western India. Birds from other populations may disperse widely outside the breeding season. Glossy ibises inhabit wetlands with tall dense stands of emergent vegetation such as reeds, papyrus or rushes, and low trees or bushes. They show a preference for marshes at the margins of lakes and rivers but can also be found at lagoons, flood-plains, wet meadows, swamps, reservoirs, sewage ponds, paddies, and irrigated farmland. These birds are less commonly found in coastal locations such as estuaries, deltas, salt marshes, and coastal lagoons.

## Behavior

Glossy ibises are diurnal birds. They are gregarious and nest in colonies. When not nesting, flocks of over 100 individuals may occur on migration, and during the winter or dry seasons, these birds usually forage in small flocks. Glossy ibises often roost communally at night in large flocks, with other species, occasionally in trees which can be some distance from wetland feeding areas. Glossy ibises hunt their prey by sight and touch. When foraging on land, they pick and glean insects or grain but when feeding along the shore, they use their long bills to probe into the substrate or mud. Glossy ibises are able to swim, however, they generally try to avoid deep water. Sounds made by these rather quiet birds include a variety of croaks and grunts; they also make a hoarse 'grrrr' when breeding.

## Diet

Glossy ibises are carnivores (insectivores, piscivores). They feed on insects such as aquatic beetles, dragonflies, damselflies, grasshoppers, crickets, flies and caddisflies. Their diet also includes leeches, mollusks, crustaceans and occasionally fish, amphibians, lizards, small snakes, and nestling birds.

## Reproduction

Glossy ibises are monogamous and form pairs. Both the male and the female construct the nest which is located in dense stands of emergent vegetation, low trees or bushes. The nest is usually a platform of twigs and vegetation positioned at least 1 m (3.3 ft) above water, sometimes up to 7 m (23 ft) in tall. The female lays 3 to 4 eggs (occasionally 5) which are incubated by both parents for 20-23 days. The chicks are able to leave the nest after about 7 days. They fledge about 28 days after hatching but the parents continue to feed them for another 6 or 7 weeks until they become fully independent.

## Population

### Population threats

The main threats to Glossy ibises include degradation and loss of their wetland habitat through drainage, increased salinity, groundwater extraction and invasion by exotic plants. These beautiful birds also suffer from hunting, human disturbance, and diseases such as avian influenza (“bird flu”).

### Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of Glossy ibises is 230,000-2,220,000 individuals. The European population consists of 28,300-37,700 pairs, which equates to 56,500-75,400 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List but its numbers today are decreasing.

## Fun Facts for Kids

The scientific name of the Glossy ibis comes from Ancient Greek plegados and Latin, falcis, both meaning "sickle" and referring to its distinctive shape of the bill.

The Glossy ibis is thought to have originated in the Old World and spread naturally from Africa to northern South America in the 19th century, from where it spread to North America. The Glossy ibis was first found in the New World in 1817 (New Jersey).

In ancient Egypt, the sacred ibis symbolized Thoth, the god of wisdom and learning.

The Glossy ibis has touch sensors on its bill which allow the bird to rapidly snap the bill closed when it encounters prey.