Glossy Ibis
Plegadis falcinellus
Silhouette: Mathieu Pélissié · PhyloPic
- KingdomAnimalia (Animals)
- PhylumChordata (Chordates)
- ClassAves (Birds)
- OrderPelecaniformes (Pelicans, Herons, Ibises, and Allies)
- FamilyThreskiornithidae (Ibises and Spoonbills)
- GenusPlegadis (Plegadis Ibises)
- SpeciesPlegadis falcinellus (Glossy Ibis)
About the Glossy Ibis
The glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a water bird in the order Pelecaniformes and the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae. The scientific name derives from Ancient Greek plegados and Latin, falcis, both meaning "sickle" and referring to the distinctive shape of the bill.
The historical name black curlew was used for the glossy ibis in Norfolk at least until the early 19th century, and this name also appears in Anglo-Saxon literature. Yalden and Albarella do not mention this species as occurring in medieval England.
This is the most widespread ibis species, breeding in scattered sites in warm regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Atlantic and Caribbean regions of the Americas. It is thought to have originated in the Old World and spread naturally from Africa to northern South America in the 19th century, from where it spread to North America. The glossy ibis was first documented in the New World in 1817 (New Jersey). Audubon saw the species just once in Florida in 1832. It expanded its range substantially northwards in the 1940s and to the west in the 1980s. This species is migratory; most European birds winter in Africa, and in North America... Wikipedia →
Recent sightings of Glossy Ibis in Tsavo West National Park
LIVEiNaturalistClosest Relatives at Tsavo West National Park
Hadada
Bostrychia hagedash
African Sacred Ibis
Threskiornis aethiopicus
African Spoonbill
Platalea alba
Hamerkop
Scopus umbretta
Cattle Egret
Bubulcus ibis
Black-headed Heron
Ardea melanocephala
Grey Heron
Ardea cinerea
Great Egret
Ardea alba
Striated Heron
Butorides striata
Squacco Heron
Ardeola ralloides
intermediate egret
Egretta intermedia
Great White Pelican
Pelecanus onocrotalus
Global Distribution
Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.
Parks Where Found
Quick answers
What are the chances of seeing a Glossy Ibis in Tsavo West National Park?
Under 5% of wildlife watchers report a Glossy Ibis sighting in Tsavo West National Park, based on 38 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.
When is the best time to see Glossy Ibis in Tsavo West National Park?
March has the highest sighting rate for Glossy Ibis in Tsavo West National Park in our monthly data.