Glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus (formerly; Tantalas falcinellus), photographed at Brazoria Wildlife Refuge, Angleton, Texas, USA.
Image: Joseph Kennedy, 26 January 2011 [velociraptorize].
Nikon D200, Kowa 883 telescope with TSN-PZ camera eyepiece 1/750s f/8.0 at 1000.0mm iso400
Question: This mystery bird was photographed in North America, but it occurs throughout much of the world. Can you name the species and tell me what habitats it prefers?
Response: This is a glossy ibis, Plegadis falcinellus (formerly; Tantalas falcinellus). This dark wading bird appears to be all black when viewed from a distance. Its colour combined with its distinctive long, down-curved bill makes this bird distinctive: looks like no other species. It is a member of the taxonomic family, Threskiornithidae.
Although the glossy ibis live primarily along the Atlantic Coast of the United States, it also can be found in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia. This species is actually relatively new to North America, having crossed the Atlantic Ocean under its own power to establish a breeding population in South America, which then expanded north. One individual of this nomadic species caused quite a stir when it showed up in Scotland last autumn after apparently being blown off-course.
The glossy ibis feeds on frogs, snails, aquatic insects and spiders that it finds in damp places, in shallow waters and mudflats.
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