Home › Aves › Threskiornithidae › Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
SPECIES PROFILE
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
Plegadis
IUCN STATUS
Least Concern
CONSERVATION STATUS
Least Concern
CLASS
Aves
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian subcontinent Europe Africa
DIET
Carnivorous
HABITAT
Wetlands marshes fields
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Aves
ORDER
Ciconiiformes
FAMILY
Threskiornithidae
GENUS
Plegadis
📋 Description
SIZE
55-65 cm long 500-800 g
COLORATION
Dark brown with glossy purple green sheen
ADAPTATIONS
Long curved bill for probing long legs for wading
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Wetlands marshes fields
DIET
Carnivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian subcontinent Europe Africa
REPRODUCTION
Lays 3-4 eggs in reed nests incubated 20-23 days
DIET DETAILS
Insects crustaceans small fish
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Wetland drainage pollution
💡 Interesting Facts
1
Glossy Waders: Glossy Ibises probe with 600-gram bodies eating 150 grams of insects daily in Bharatpur's wetlands. Their glossy sheen is striking.
2
Colonial Foragers: These ibises cover 3000 sq km in Odisha's marshes nesting in reeds. Pollution threatens their prey.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary in Rajasthan
Chilika Lake in Odisha
Nal Sarovar Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
October-March Dry season concentrates prey for spotting ibises
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Watch glossy ibises probing in wetlands
