Glossy Ibis x White-faced Ibis hybrid (Plegadis falcinellus x chihi), Buckeye Farm Fields, Maricopa County

This apparent Glossy Ibis x White-faced Ibis hybrid was found and photographed by Caleb Strand on 17 April 2016

Glossy Ibis is a rare but possibily increasing visitor to Arizona. Glossy and White-faced Ibis hybridize regularly and, if Glossy Ibis is expanding west, such hybrids may become more frequent as well.

The bird appears to be an adult White-faced x Glossy hybrid. This bird shows narrow pale bluish borders to the facial skin only slightly extending behind the eye and lack of white feathering around the face similar to Glossy Ibis, but the facial skin has a reddish tinge and the iris is red, which is typical of a White-faced Ibis.

17 April 2016, photo by Caleb Strand

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