[Birdnet] possible GLOSSY IBIS - San Juan County

[Tim Avery]

This afternoon between 1:15 - 2:30 pm Dave Slager and I observed a flock 
of 15 plegadis Ibis along the Colorado River where Hite Marina used to 
be.  From a distance of about 200 yards the birds with their faces 
visible (3-5 birds) appeared dark faced, but neither of us felt safe 
making a call on a tough ID from that distance, so we attempted to get 
closer.  We managed to get within about 100 yards and were able to start 
making out facial features on many of the birds.  Most were showing 
typical White-faced markings, but several still appeared to show dark 
face patches lacking any white or pink.  At about 75 yards from the 
birds, a squall came across the river and sent the birds into the air.  
They circled at least 15-20 times and I was able to take lots of 
pictures (mostly blurry or out of focus), while Dave worked on getting 
looks at their faces.  Most of the birds in flight were definitely 
White-faced Ibis, however I never caught all 15 birds in an image 
together.  I did however get a nice side by side flight shot of two 
birds.  One that looks like a Glossy Ibis and the other a White-faced 
Ibis. 

http://timaverybirding.com/photos/april07/plegad_01.jpg

The bird in the front appears to have a "brownish" colored bill and a 
dark face.  No white is visible and the iris (or area of the iris) 
appears dark.  I haven;t had a lot of experience with Glossy and am not 
sure how long a juvenile can retain a dark face.  The lack of any 
streaking on the head leads me to believe this is an adult bird and 
therefore a Glossy.  However, I would like any opinions or thoughts on this.

I will be posting the same picture to ID frontiers to see what 
information could be learned form the grainy shot.  The birds didn't 
land where they initially were but likely landed further down river out 
of scope view due to the 10+ foot tall tamarisk.

Other birds of note in San Juan County over the weekend are as follows.

NO SCALED QUAIL!  Dave and I spent 4 hours (2 on Friday and 2 on 
Saturday) searching the canyon inch by inch and never heard or saw a 
thing.  We also checked the canyon to the north with no luck.  The birds 
may have been moved on or eaten by a Great Horned or Red-tailed nesting 
in the area...

04/06 Hickman Flats
   2 - Gunnison Sage-Grouse (I flyby and one male booming)
   2 - Rough-legged Hawk
   2 - Lark Sparrow
   30 - Sage Thrasher

04/06 Devil's Canyon
   2 - Acorn Woodpecker
   13 - Pygmy Nuthatch

04/06 Pond in Montezuma Canyon
   2 - Black Phoebe
   2 - Hooded Merganser

04/06 Cottonwood Wash (north of Bluff)
   1 - Peregrine Falcon

04/07 Recapture Reservoir
   1 - Greater Scaup (male)

04/07 Devil's Canyon in the PM
   1 - Northern Saw-whet Owl

04/08 Devil's Canyon at 8:00 am
   2 - Northern Saw-whet Owl

04/08 Blanding Wastewater Treatment Plant
   1 - Bonaparte's Gull
   7 - Franklin's Gull

04/08 Highway 95 @ mile marker 69
   4 - Pinyon Jay

Good Birding

Tim
tanager at timaverybirding.com