The glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a water bird of spoonbill family. The scientific name derives from Ancient Greek plegados and Latin, falcis, both meaning “sickle” and referring to the distinctive shape of the bill. Generally suspected to be a migratory species in India, the glossy ibis is resident in western India. Numbers in western India varied dramatically seasonally with the highest numbers being seen in the winter and summers and drastically declining in the monsoon.
Breeding adults have reddish-brown bodies and strongly iridescent wing feathers, bottle-green to bronzed or purple depending on the light angle. Adult breeding birds have a narrow white facial band above and below the bill. Non-breeders and juveniles have duller bodies
Shot at Coorg Outskirts, Feb 2026 © Dr.Bishan Monnappa
