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Plegadis falcinellus
Has proportions of heron and bill shape of curlew. Plumage can seem black but in good light looks deep maroon with sheen to feathrers of wings and back. Breeding bird has white lines from base of bill to eye. In flight, head and neck held outstretched with legs trailing; head looks bulbous.
Favours wetlands and present April-September. Widespread passage migrant. Breeds very locally in SE Europe. Overwinters in small numbers, particularly in S Iberian Peninsula.
The fourth photo was actually what the ibis looked like most of the time - a very shy bird! The other three were taken within the space of half a minute, and then it disappeared into the reeds again! Spotted on a reedy lake in the Rio Formosa Natural Park.
Spotted on Jul 15, 2012
Submitted on Jul 22, 2012
2 Comments
It was great, Alice.:) Really wish I had managed a photo of it flying - that was awesome. First time I've seen this bird as well, I took so many photos and hoped at least one was good!
Also, reading up about them, I think this one is in breeding plumage because of the white lines from its eyes.
A fruitfull 30 seconds!