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

This apparent Glossy Ibis x White-faced Ibis hybrid was found and photographed by Caleb Strand on 18 April 2020

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.

This individual shows mainly features of Glossy Ibis, but the reddish eye (black in Glossy Ibis), pinkish and purplish tones to the facial skin (gray in Glossy Ibis) and facial skin border (blue in Glossy Ibis) suggest White-faced Ibis parentage.

18 April 2020, photo by Caleb Strand

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