Wildlife Around Las Vegas, White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)

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White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi)
Birds Around Las Vegas, Wildlife Around Las Vegas

General Description: White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) are wading birds with long legs and a long, decurved bill. Breeding birds are chestnut colored with glossy black wings, red legs, yellow bill, red facial skin, and a white border around the facial skin. Juveniles are glossy black overall and lack the white facial border. White-faced Ibis are difficult to distinguish from Glossy Ibis, but Glossys are eastern birds (Atlantic and Gulf coasts) and shouldn't be seen around Las Vegas.

Taxonomy: Pelecaniformes, Threskiornithidae, Threskiornithinae.

Favored Habitat: Ponds and marshes.

Note the long, decurved bill and chestnut colors

Where to Find: White-faced Ibis are not common around Las Vegas, but look for them at the Henderson Bird Viewing Preserve and in the Pahranagat Valley.

Comments: These birds are winter visitors in the Las Vegas area.

White-faced Ibis juvenile; notice the black-and-white banded bill.

Reflections in the marsh	White-faced Ibis and reflection in still water
White-faced Ibis on the golf course in Death Valley.	White-faced Ibis at Ruby Marsh, NE Nevada.
White-faced Ibis at Overton Wildlife Management Area	White-faced Ibis and American Coots; Ruby Marsh, NE Nevada.


White-faced Ibis juvenile probing for food	White-faced Ibis juvenile; got it!


White-faced Ibis and Snowy Egret	more to come ...