Glossy Ibis

Plegadis falcinellus

Description:

With its long, slender, down-curved bill and magnificent plumage, the glossy ibis is a striking wading bird. Its Latin name, Plegadis falcinellus, refers to its distinctive bill and means ‘scythe’ or ‘sickle’, while its dark colouration has earned it the alternative (but inaccurate) common name of ‘black curlew’. In breeding plumage, the glossy ibis is rich chestnut on the head, neck, upper back and underparts, while the feathers of the lower back, wings and tail have a green, purple and bronze metallic sheen http://www.arkive.org/glossy-ibis/plegad...