Glossy Ibis

Scientific Name: Plegadis falcinellus
Malay Name: Sekendi Kilat Biasa
Chinese Name: 彩鹮

Range:
Found throughout most of Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, Central and North America. Populations from Asia and Australia may disperse widely outside the breeding season.

Taxonomy:
Monotypic.

Size: 55-65 cm

Identification:
Non-breeding adult has mostly uniform dark brownish plumage, white streaks on head and neck, green gloss on scapulars and upperwing-coverts and long down-curved bill. Adult in breeding plumage has glossed green forecrown and deep chestnut head, neck and body with no streaks. Juvenile resembles non-breeding adult but duller.

Habitat: Mudflats and marshy wetlands.

Behaviour/Ecology: Forages mostly by wading in shallow water, probing in soft mud for food.

Local Status: Very rare vagrant

Conservation Status: Least Concern (BirdLife International 2019)

Featured reports: May 2022

Past accepted records in our database:

Migrant bar chart (see more bar charts):

Glossy Ibis at Mamukala Wetlands, Australia. Photo Credit: Con Foley