White-faced Ibis in St. Louis County
2015-05-03

Five or fewer records in St. Louis County for the Spring season

This image of yesterday's White-faced Ibis in Duluth, a first for St Louis Co, is being submitted only because no others have been posted here (and I'd guess other photographers have better images). This bird was first found early in the afternoon by Dick Green (and others?) at Sky Harbor airport near the S end of the Park Point Recreation Area, and it was relocated a few hours later by Bruce Munson in the marshy inlet at the N end of the Recreation Area, where it was observed and photographed by several of us. The possibility of this being a hybrid White-faced x Glossy Ibis might be considered since the red iris was relatively dull and the facial skin appeared more grayish-pink rather than red. Or it may still be a "pure" White-faced which had not yet acquired full breeding plumage (note the somewhat narrow white facial feathering) or soft-part colors. [Additional comment on May 6: After viewing a better photo taken at closer range and in better light, I could see that this bird had normal iris and facial skin colors for a White-faced Ibis, rather than a hybrid.]

Kim R. Eckert; "digiscope" image with 25-50 Leica spotting scope.