Plegadis ibis in Traverse County
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First record for Traverse County

A possible adult or subadult (2nd fall) Glossy Ibis in basic plumage was observed from 12:35PM-1:40PM and was still present at 3:45PM near Browns Valley, Traverse County on 30 August 2006. More specifically the bird was in section 25, Folsom Township just across the road from the Metz W.M.A. Directions from Browns Valley are 2.5 miles east on CR 2 then about ? mile north on CR 53. It was one of at least 14 ibises present including two adult White-faced Ibises with red irides and all red facial skin plus 11 unidentified juvenile Plegadis sp.

Identification as a Glossy Ibis was based on it being advanced beyond juvenile/1st winter plumage and by having very dark brown irides, dark gray facial skin with a very slight purple tinge, and the thin white border on (not around) the facial skin between the eye and beak that did not extend under the beak or behind the eye. There is no hint of red in the iris, facial skin or legs, no whitish feathering around the face, or any other unusual features to clearly suggest a hybrid Glossy/White-faced Ibis.

Digiscoped photo by Bill J. Unzen.