| Glossy Ibis Identification Tips |
| (Credit: U. S. Geological Survey) |
| General
Information - 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. |
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