The Glossy Ibis is a type of wading bird that belongs to the ibis family, Threskiornithidae. This bird is referred to as the most far-flung ibis species and is sometime known as a “black curlew”.
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
Animalia
Chordata
Aves
Ciconiiformes
Threskiornithidae
Plegadis
Plegadis Falcinellus
Table Of Content
Table of Contents
Scientific Classification
Animalia
Chordata
Aves
Ciconiiformes
Threskiornithidae
Plegadis
Plegadis Falcinellus
Table of Contents
Glossy ibis is the smallest of all the ibis species in Australia. They appear dark at a distance, but their feathers take an iridescent shine up close.
Glossy Ibis
Physical Description
Length: Glossy Ibis stretches to a length of 48-66cm
Weight: Their body weight ranges between 450 to 970gm
Color: Adult ibis have reddish brown colored bodies. Juveniles have darker bodies.
Plumage: The feathers are thick and are dark purple to black in color
Bill: They have a dark, long gray colored bill, which is slightly curved downward.
Habitat
Glossy ibis are often spotted in marshes, lakes, and swamps. They mainly prefer spending their time in brackish and saltwater marshes. Ibis are migratory and most of the European Ibis spend the winter in Africa. They are rarely spotted in coastal locations, and prefer having their nesting sites in tall trees which are far away from their feeding areas.
Distribution
Glossy ibis is the most prevalent ibis species, breeding in warm regions of Asia, Europe Australia, the Caribbean and Atlantic regions of America. They were introduced in the 19th century to the New World, from where they started spreading to North and South America. They are a non-breeding visitor to Tasmania and south-west of Western Australia.
Behavior
Glossy ibis are nomadic in nature
The majority of their population is migratory
They are generally quiet but make noise during breeding season
Glossy ibis roosts reciprocally at night in big flocks
They frequently forage in freshwater and saltwater marshes
Frequently they are seen wading through the shallows prying the mud with their long bill in search of food.
Glossy Ibis Photo
Diet
The Glossy ibis has an extremely varied diet which includes seeds, insects, small fishes, and different types of small snakes. They feed by probing the water and mud with their long bill. They hunt for food in small groups with the other wading birds.
Adaptations
Their long, craved bill helps them to find food underwater and by probing mud
They are very territorial during nesting
They eat whatever they find by probing the mud and water. They are not choosy.
When threatened, they fly high, out of reach of potential predators
Predators
Glossy ibis have some predators as well. They are often attacked by foxes, hawks, alligators, and crocodiles, including American crocodile, black caiman, broad-snouted caiman, and Freshwater crocodile.
Glossy Ibis Flying
Calls
Glossy ibis are usually quiet in nature.
Flights
They fly with their necks stretched out. Their flight is elegant and they often arrange in a V-formation with other birds.
Migration
These birds are migratory in nature. Most of these birds used to migrate in Africa to spend the winter months there. These migratory birds travel on broad front across the desert of Sahara.
Those that live in tropical areas are year-round residents.
Breeding Season
Glossy ibis breed in the summer months.
Breeding
Glossy ibis birds build their nests in colonies with other species of ibis. Nests are built in trees and scrub from firewood and twigs. They become very territorial during nesting. The female ibis lays three or four eggs which take three weeks to hatch. The female and male ibis incubate the egg but the female ibis performs most of the task.
Glossy Ibis Wings
Lifecycle
Both the parents take care of the chicks. Chicks leave the nest within a few days and start hunting for food with their parents when they are two months old. Chicks learn everything quite fast and start doing everything of their own after a few days of their birth.
Conservation Status
IUCN has enlisted this particular species of ibis in the “least concern” category. They are one of the species to which the AEWA (Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds) applies. These birds are threatened locally by pesticides.
Interesting Facts
There are more to know about these birds:
Glossy Ibis are originally from Africa but were later introduced to the Americas
They are often seen nesting together in mixed heronries with other species
