I would agree with Joseph Kennedy on this bird and would call it a White-faced
Ibis but know too it could possibly be a hybrid. But the two ibis are usually
not in high condition. Instead they are more typically in fading breeding
condition and hence not as clear cut as I would feel comfortable identifying.
People identify and post pictures more often than not of birds that to me are
not distinguishable. I use the Plegadis option often on checklist.
Hybrids are rare and a non-breeder in less than healthy condition might have
its reds turn brown or gray. That is likely a common occurrence. So the most
likely case would be for the most likely ibis.
Generally if I am persistent this time of year I can find a Glossy or two on
the Katy Prairie if I can find many Ibis at all. They are usually by themselves
and usually in such good condition that their identification is straight
forward; pure blue face, blue legs with perhaps reddish knees and a sharp thin
bluish-whitish facial outline.
Fred Collins, Director
Kleb Woods Nature Center
20303 Draper Road, Tomball TX 77377
281-357-5324
Harris County Precinct 3
Steve Radack Commissioner
www.pct3.com
-----Original Message-----
From: texbirds-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:texbirds-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On ;
Behalf Of Dennis Shepler
Sent: Monday, May 08, 2017 6:49 AM
To: texbirds@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Subject: [texbirds] Glossy/White-faced Ibis hybrid
Howdy Texbirders,
Glad the photo issues regarding the Plegadis Ibis at Lafitte's Cove have been
discussed and "resolved". Based on my observations and photos, I believed that
the bird in question is a hybrid Glossy/White-faced Ibis. I wrote the
following of the Real Texbird facebook site:
"After hearing of the sighting of a Glossy Ibis at Lafitte's Cove, I went down
this morning to search for the Glossy. The only dark (Pelagadis spp.) ibis I
found that might fit the description of a Glossy Ibis is shown in the following
pictures. I think this bird is a hybrid Glossy/White-faced. I would appreciate
comments from the community. The bird pictured has what appears to be a
"reddish" (not dark) iris, more gray than brown in the bill and reddish in the
area of the tibiotarsus-tarsometatarsus joint (the "ankle"). Light plays an
important role in these photos and others may have photos of the "Glossy" seen
that indicate that there was a pure Glossy Ibis present at Lafitte's. Glossy
Ibis is a rare bird on the Texas coast and is known to hybridize with
White-faced Ibis. Thanks for your comments regarding the bird pictured here."
Here is a link to photos that show, I think, the field marks referenced in my
statement:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/olddawgler/33687363244/in/dateposted-family/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/olddawgler/34400133061/in/dateposted-family/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/olddawgler/33687364574/in/dateposted-family/
Comments welcome and you all have my permission to use the photos.
Dennis
West Houston
Harris County
--
W. Dennis Shepler
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