Glossy Ibis Bird Research Taxonomy Order Ciconiiformes Family

Glossy Ibis Bird Research

Taxonomy �Order: Ciconiiformes �Family: Threskiornithidae �Genus: Plegadis �Species: Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)

Relatives �Three birds that are part of the Family Threskiornithidae are: � Buff-necked ibis (Theristicus caudatus) � Eurasian spoonbill (Platalea leucorodia) � Northern bald ibis (Geronticus eremita)

Relatives �An overall characteristic of these birds is there long beaks.

Identification �The Glossy Ibis has a wingspan of thirty-six inches. It has a long beak and a dark copper colored body normally. When breeding season comes its feathers turn a rusty red with green and purple feather tips.

Identification �The Glossy Ibis’s call in a colony consists of a nasal moaning “urm” and croaks and rattles. �http: //www. allaboutbirds. org/guide/Glossy_Ibis/soun ds

Body Structure: Feet �The feet of a Glossy Ibis are much like a Chiickens. They both have three toes in front and a supporting toe in back. I believe that its feet were made for grabbing onto things and for supporting themselves on uneven terrain.

Body Structure: Beak �The beak of the Glossy Ibis is long and curved much like a scythe. It is from side to side in the water to stir up the insects it feeds on in the water. Its beak may also be used to scoop the insects out of the water.

Body Structure: Body �The body of the Glossy Ibis is a fairly large bird that is made to protect its young. The neck was made for looking out for predators and foraging deep under water.

Food �Insects and some types of rice plants consist of the Glossy Ibis’s diet. Beetles are one of the many insects that they consume. Its main diet however is rice plants.

Food �In order to obtain its food the Glossy Ibis must wade out into the brackish water and forage for its food.

Habitat �Marshes, lagoons, and swamps are what the Glossy Ibis considers home. It is the perfect place for insects who love the water.

Locations in Utah �In Utah this water loving bird has been sighted the most around Bear River.

Five unique facts �Once called the “Black Curlew”. �Lives all around the world. �During mating season they form monogamous pairs. �When they migrate they disperse all over the continent. �They have a population of 21, 000.

Work Cited Page �http: //www. utahbirds. org/birdsofutah/Birds. D- K/Glossy. Ibis. htm �http: //bna. birds. cornell. edu/bna/species/545/articles/ introduction �http: //www. allaboutbirds. org/guide/Glossy_Ibis/id �http: //birds. audubon. org/species/gloibi �http: //www. arkive. org/glossy-ibis/plegadisfalcinellus/#species. Fact. File �http: //www. edc. uri. edu/restoration/html/gallery/bird s/ibis. htm