White-faced Ibis Feeds

Both White-faced and Glossy Ibis appear dark or black at a distance or in poor light, but when the sun hits them just right they blossom into an exotic looking bird with an iridescent purple-red belly complete with iridescent green wings and tail.

This is a White-faced Ibis ( http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAboutBirds/BirdGuide/White-faced_Ibis_dtl.html ) in early winter at Bosque del Apache NWR, NM from November of this year. Telling White-faced and Glossy apart can be extremely difficult, so if anyone has more thoughts on that let me know.

IbisBirdBirdingOrnithologyBosqueNWRNMNew MexicoAnimalWildlifeWadingReflectionNatureBosque del ApachePlegadis chihiCICONIIFORMESTHRESKIORNITHIDAEThreskiornithinaeWhitefaced IbisTravelTrophyWild BirdWaterfowlBirdsAvesBird Photo2006AveAvianMichael Menefee