[Birdtalk] Re: WHITE-FACED & GLOSSY IBIS

[Cliff and Lisa Weisse]

James,

Since these birds showed up I've learned some interesting things about them.  While White-faced is indigenous to North America Glossy is not.  So they are separate species.  Glossies arrived on this continent in the early 1900s and established breeding populations along the eastern seaboard.  At some point (I can't remember the date) there was a range expansion to Louisiana.  It's apparent that a second range expansion is under way now.  Much as I'd like to take credit for being able to find birds that others couldn't that just isn't the case.  I know one very good birder that has looked through thousands of Ibis for years in the Market Lake area specifically looking for a Glossy.  The first one was only found last year.  Now they seem to be here in numbers.

Regarding your photo of a WF Ibis from 2002 (in the Utahbirds web site at http://www.utahbirds.org/birdsofutah/BirdsS-Z/WhiteFaceIbis.htm) I think you are right that it's a juvenile White-faced.  The white color on the face seems to be in the feathering surrounding the facial skin.  However the on below it, photographed by Jack Binch 5 July 2003, shows some characteristics of a hybrid.  Maybe it's just the photo but the face has an overall purplish appearance with pale lines that look lavender and a reddish iris.  The legs are red but I suppose that's possible for a hybrid.  My two cent's worth.

Cliff
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