Glossy Ibis

This medium sized wading bird has a dark plumage that looks black from a distance but is maroon upclose. These birds are most identifiable by their curved bill. Glossy ibis’s will forge in brackish and saltwater marshes and will forge by both sight and touch. In wetlands ibis will use their bills to probe the substrate and will eat marine worms, beetles, crabs, shrimp, and solderfilies. During mating season the pair will build a large nest made from reeds, sticks and other vegetation and assemble the nest either on the ground or in bushes and short trees. They will lay 3-4 eggs that are incubated 20-22 days. Juveniles will be a dull brown color with some white streaking at the neck.