The reports stated that two ibises were at the first pond as you drive into the preserve. Seeing pics and knowing the area, the birds were not that far from the trail. When I arrived, there were a few birders taking pics so I knew I was in the right spot. Walking up to the spot where they were, I could see Blackpoll, Pine, Palm and Yellow-rumped Warblers in the pines that line the road.
White-faced Ibis! Lifer! When I first spotted the birds, they were very close to the closest shore. Very cool looking birds! Looked very out of place.
The lighting was terrible, but you could see a little detail in the face and the cool iridescent colors of the feathers.
I was fascinated by the way that they fed. They would probe in the mud under the water and then when they found something, they would pick it up and then throw it back and catch it. Very cool!
Since the lighting was so poor, it was hard to get much detail on the face. After looking at some of the better photos taken by other birders, it was brought up by a few very experienced birders that both these birds are hybrids - White-faced X Glossy. I do not have any experience with these species, as Glossy would also be a lifer. The details of the color of the soft parts of the face seem to be at issue. I personally believe that it would be hard to call them hybrids from just that observation alone. I wonder if this means that I can count both species on my life list? ;-)
The low light did make for some cool profile shots though. I really like this one.
Such a out of place looking bird. Whatever species they are, they were cool looking birds. I even heard them vocalize. Very weird sound.
The Ibis are cool birds! Great shots!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos
ReplyDeleteI like your silhouette shots, poor lighting engenders creativity..Interesting about hybridization..how dare these birds hybridize? Hard enough to ID them ;-)
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