Glossy Ibis
Photo: Chuck Homler, Focus On Wildlife · CC BY-SA 4.0

Ibises and Spoonbills

Glossy Ibis

Plegadis falcinellus

LCLeast Concern
Family
Ibises and Spoonbills (Threskiornithidae)
Order
Pelecaniformes

Overview

The glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a water bird in the order Pelecaniformes and the ibis and spoonbill family Threskiornithidae. The scientific name derives from Ancient Greek plegados and Latin, falcis, both meaning "sickle" and referring to the distinctive shape of the bill.
The historical name black curlew was used for the glossy ibis in Norfolk at least until the early 19th century, and this name also appears in Anglo-Saxon literature. Yalden and Albarella do not mention this species as occurring in medieval England.

Summary from Wikipedia, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Range and habitat

Locally in eastern North and southern South America, Africa, Eurasia, and southern Asia to Australasia.

Range description: AviList Global Avian Checklist.

Sources and further reading

Last updated September 29, 2026.