Glossy ibis

http://www.birds-of-north-america.net/glossy-ibis.html

Glossy ibis Plegadis falcinellus 

The glossy ibis belongs to the 

Threskiornithidae family. They have dark reddish feathers on the neck and back and grey/blue wings. The bill curves downwards. The legs are a dark brown. The males are larger than the females. During mating the colours are brighter and vibrant.   The glossy ibis hints by touching the ground with its bill, if the ibis detects food on the bill, the jaw will shut rapidly. It feeds on larvae, insects, crustaceans and vertebrates.

March through to May is breeding time. Both genders build the nests from leaves and twigs. The nests are made close to the water, so they adults can hunt for food. The females lays four eggs and are incubated for twenty three days by the female and the male. They are unable to fly until four weeks of age.

They are a wading bird, so they are found in wetlands, swamps and wet meadows. 



Arkive.org, (2015). Glossy ibis videos, photos and facts - Plegadis falcinellus | ARKive. [online] Available at: http://www.arkive.org/glossy-ibis/plegadis-falcinellus/ [Accessed 15 Apr. 2015].