White-faced Ibis
Plegadis chihi
Long decurved bill. Dark overall with iridescent green and reddish tones on adults. Broad white border to reddish face and red eyes. Found mainly in shallow wetlands of the western U.S. Best distinguished from Glossy Ibis by range and facial pattern. Also note more subtle features: reddish legs and paler bronzy tones to wings.
Identification
The white-faced ibis is very similar to the glossy ibis in its non-breeding plumages, but it tends to be slightly smaller and the plumage color is somewhat warmer. Breeding adults have a pink, bare face bordered with white feathers (rather than a bluish bare face with no bordering feathers), a grey bill, and brighter-colored, redder legs. Adults have red eyes year-round, whereas glossy ibises have dark eyes. Juveniles of the two species are nearly identical.<p>Measurements:
Taxonomy
- Scientific name
- Plegadis chihi
- Authority
- (Vieillot, 1817)
- Order
- Pelecaniformes
- Family
- Threskiornithidae
- Genus
- Plegadis
Range and habitat
The white-faced ibis occurs in Canada, the United States, and Central America, and a second subspecies inhabits the southern half of South America, east of the Andes Mountains. In 2012, the total population size was estimated to be 1.2 million individuals, and increasing. The IUCN rates it as being of Least Concern.<p>Migration and interchange between North and South American subspecies does not occur. Within North America, birds breeding in northern areas of the range move south to wintering areas. For example, breeders in northern California and southern Oregon move to wintering areas in southern California and México or Central America. Some birds breeding in Yellowstone in Wyoming will overwinter in areas such as Texas and coastal Gulf of Mexico regions.
- Migration
- Complete migrants
Conservation
- Population trend
- rising
Photos
Distribution
Bird Calls
Other Birds
Eastern Clapper Lark
Corypha fasciolata
A medium-sized, stocky lark with a small bill and barred and scalloped feathers on the head and upperparts, giving it a scaly appearance. The plumage varies geographically, with South African birds being brighter and rustier, and northern birds being duller and grayer. Pairs forage for insects in grassland, often in rocky areas. During the September to February breeding season, the male perches on small rock or low bush, before rising up 3-5 meters in the air with a steady wing-clapping display, then giving a single whistled note “phoooee” and parachuting down to the ground on raised wings. The similar Cape Clapper Lark is smaller than Eastern Clapper Lark, with less rufous coloration on the body and wings, and an accelerating wing-clapping display.
Palm Tanager
Thraupis palmarum
Large, plain tanager, gray overall with hints of olive-green in good light; note contrasting black wings with paler patch at base of primaries. A habitat generalist often found around palm trees and in open shrubby areas, gardens, and forest edges. Usually in pairs or small flocks, sometimes with other species. Often quite noisy and conspicuous; gives a series of sputtering squeaks or a single nasal “swee?”
Banded Broadbill
Eurylaimus javanicus
Deep purplish-red broadbill with bold yellow patches on the wings and tail. Broad-based bill and irises are bright blue. Female is slightly duller than the male, and lacks a black line across the chest. Favors riparian and wet forests from the lowlands up into montane areas, and will visit edges, gardens, and parks. Forages in the canopy, often flying from a perch to do so. More vocal than Black-and-yellow Broadbill, giving long, drawn-out whistles and buzzing trills.
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