Glossy Ibis

Plegadis falcinellus

Genus · Plegadis Ibises Family · Ibises and Spoonbills
Observation tips Difficulty: MODERATE
Best time
🕒 Any
Activity
☀️ Diurnal
Best months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Observation habitat
Coastal shallowsMuddy marginsReed beds

Look for a 'dark curlew' in a marsh. The metallic sheen is only visible in direct sunlight. Note the curved bill and slender neck.

Glossy Ibis
Stats
Wingspan80–105 cm
Weight500–800 g
Length48–66 cm
Lifespan wild10–20 yrs
Size
XS
S
M
L
XL
Nesting
Nest typePlatform
Clutch size3–5 eggs
Incubation20–23 days
Breeding months
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Regional Status (Europe)
LC
Least Concern (Europe)
IUCN Red List
MigrationMigratory
Social BehaviourColonial

Diet: Carnivore

🐸Amphibians
🦀Crustaceans
🐸Frogs
🦗Insects
🐌Snails

Habitat

🚜 Farmland🌾 Marsh🏞️ River
✦ Fun Fact

The Glossy Ibis is the most widespread ibis species in the world. It is found on every continent except Antarctica.

About

An elegant wading bird with a long, down-curved bill. At a distance, it appears almost black. In good light, its plumage shimmers with maroon, bronze, and green. It lives in warm, shallow wetlands. It is primarily a summer resident in Southern and Eastern Europe but is highly nomadic.

Behaviour

Glossy Ibises are social and forage in groups with herons and egrets. They probe mud for leeches, dragonflies, and amphibians. They fly in coordinated 'V' formations or long lines. They nest in colonies, usually in trees or dense reedbeds near water.

Similar species

Eurasian Spoonbill
🐦
Eurasian Spoonbill
Platalea leucorodia
Great Cormorant
🐦
Great Cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo
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