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The Wildebeest's guide to South Africa

Glossy Ibis

Afrikaans name: Glansibis

Glossy Ibis are often seen at the water's edge

Glossy Ibis at Bronkhorstspruit Dam

Photo © Steven Herbert

Plegadis falcinellus

The Glossy Ibis is normally found patrolling along the edge of a dam, pan, river, flooded grassland or other water source, where it uses its long bill to probe in the mud for food. They will eat any prey that they find including insects, molluscs, small fish and leeches. They are often seen in the company of Egrets or other Ibises.

The Glossy Ibis has a wide distribution being found in sub-Saharan Africa, south Asia and Australia. When not breeding they are quite nomadic and undertake migrations in some areas.

They breed in trees near water, making a nest out of twigs and other vegetation. Normally 3 or 4 eggs are laid, with male and female sharing the incubation duty. Amazingly the chicks are able to leave the nest after a week or so from hatching, although the parents continue to feed them.

Roberts Birds Names by Edition

EditionRoberts nrScientific name
1st83Plegadis falcinellus falcinellus
2nd83Plegadis falcinellus
3rd83Plegadis falcinellus
4th83Plegadis falcinellus
5th93Plegadis falcinellus
6th93Plegadis falcinellus
7th455Plegadis falcinellus

EditionRoberts nrEnglish name
1st83Glossy Ibis
2nd83Glossy Ibis
3rd83Glossy Ibis
4th83Glossy Ibis
5th93Glossy Ibis
6th93Glossy Ibis
7th455Glossy Ibis

EditionRoberts nrAfrikaans name
1st83Glansende-ibis
2nd83Glansende Ibis
3rd83Glansende Ibis
4th83Glansende Ibis
5th93Glansibis
6th93Glansibis
7th455Glansibis

References and further reading

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 40

Wildlife of the Cape Peninsula - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2001 - Page: 38

Wild Issue 44 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 60

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 31

The Rare Birds of Southern Africa - Author: P.A. Clancey - Published: 1985 - Page: 75

Wading Birds of the World - Revised edition - Author: Eric and Richard Soothill - Published: 1989 - Page: 109

The Birds of South Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Dr. Austin Roberts - Published: 1949 - Page: 31

Southern African Bird Names Explained - Author: Charles Clinning - Published: 1989 - Page: 109

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 4th Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 2011 - Page: 58

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 6th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1993 - Page: 74

Sasol Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair et al. - Published: 1993 - Page: 70

Roberts Birds of Southern Africa - 5th Edition - Author: Gordon Lindsay Maclean - Published: 1985 - Page: 73

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 4th Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1981 - Page: 55

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1975 - Page: 51

Roberts Bird Guide - Author: Hugh Chittenden - Published: 2007 - Page: 182

Roberts Birds of South Africa - 2nd edition - Author: McLachlan and Liversidge - Published: 1957 - Page: 38

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 7th Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 2000 - Page: 84

Newmans Birds of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Ken Newman - Published: 1984 - Page: 84

Ian Sinclairs Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Ian Sinclair - Published: 1988 - Page: 62

Freshwater Life - Author: C. Griffiths, J. Day & M. Picker - Published: 2015 - Page: 50

Field Guide to the Birds of Kruger National Park - Author: Ian Sinclair and Ian Whyte - Published: 1991 - Page: 38

Collins Illustrated Checklist - Birds of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: Ber van Perlo - Published: 1999 - Page: 10

Birds of the Transkei - Author: C.D. Quickelberge - Published: 1989 - Page: 34

Birds of the Transvaal - Author: Tarboton, Kemp and Kemp - Published: 1987 - Page: 27

Birds of the South Western Cape - Author: Joy Frandsen - Published: 0 - Page: 31

Bird Atlas of Natal - Author: Digby Cyrus and Nigel Robson - Published: 1980 - Page: 51

A First Guide to South African Birds - 6th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1959 - Page: 166

A First Guide to South African Birds - 7th Edition - Author: Leonard Gill - Published: 1975 - Page: 166

A Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: O.P.M. Prozesky - Published: 1983 - Page: 46

BirdLife South Africa


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