| Range: |
Eurasia, southeastern Asia, Pacific Islands, Africa, Australia, North America, Central and South America |
| Habitat: |
Marshes, swamps, coastal bays, lagoons, lakes |
| Conservation Status: |
Common |
| Scientific Name: |
Plegadis falcinellus |
This wading bird gets its name from the shiny green feathers on its wings and tail. Its head is dark purple to black, and its long legs are black. The glossy ibis lives in a variety of wetlands, including marshes, coastal bays, swamps and flooded pastures. It uses its long curved bill to probe in the mud for a variety of invertebrates, including crabs, crayfish, and insects. Occasionally it will snatch up small snakes and frogs. Glossy ibises nest in large colonies with birds of other species, including herons and egrets. Both parents cooperate in sitting on the eggs and in feeding the chicks when they hatch. A glossy ibis can be confused with the similar-looking White-faced Ibis. But the latter has a band of white feathers around a bare face, and red eyes and legs.
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