Glossy or White-Faced?
Glossy Ibises at the Bradford Reservoir eBird pic uploaded by Bill Nessen
Author: August Mirabella
Pictures: Julie James & Bill Nessen
I was asked if it was okay to share I had written about White-faced Ibis status on ‘Bucks Birders’ blog. So, to make it more informative, I have expanded my comments here. Yes, I am long winded.
The recent occurrence of three Glossy Ibis at Bradford Dam resulted in a question sent to Karin Isett & I from relatively new birders (Julie James) about this ID versus Whte-faced Ibis. We all made it clear we were not experts on the White-faced. Karin answered first that the photos show a narrow white border on a dark face rather than a bolder white border on a red face for White-faced. Other features to look for would be a red iris, reddish legs, and other plumage differences that ID the White-faced Ibis. However there is significant variation between breeding, non-breeding, and juvenal plumage (All three showed up in Bradford were Glossy Ibises, by the way). My reply focused on status of White-faced.
These two species were considered subspecies through most of the 20th century but were split in 1983. Per Birds of The World Online the historical range of the White-faced in the US was east of the Mississippi R. but expanded east along the Gulf coast. Recent sightings along the Atlantic coast, including at breeding sites, may indicate breeding, but a very brief search didn’t come up with anything I can quote. Almost all entries in eBird in breeding season on the Atlantic coast are single birds. So hybrids may result, too, if they mate with a Glossy.
As far as status in PA & Bucks Co., there are only eleven records submitted to PORC (PA Ornithological Records Committee), all since 2010. It had been considered Accidental, but I think with 11 records it would now be upgraded to Rare. All were accepted by PORC I believe, but the PORC status of the Bucks Co. record is unclear as it is missing from the PORC website probably accidentally. However, the Bucks report is on the Pennsylvania Society for Ornithology Notable Sightings list below. That one, Devich Farbotnik spotted at dusk under cloudy skies and light rain at the restricted access Penn-Warner Tract. Only members are allowed and access to guests of members is very limited. So, he returned the next morning in hopes of getting better pictures, although the photo seems convincing. If present he would have tried to gain access for birders. However, it was gone.
So, at time of writing our Birds of Bucks Co. 2nd Edition 2024, White-faced had not been reported here.The Bucks Co. historical status of Glossy Ibis is summarized in it if you have access to that. Its status is Occasional Migrant and Summer Visitor. Years ago, the eBird Project Leader told reviewers in Southeast PA that we could accept all entries for Glossy Ibis even if no details were provided to eliminate White-faced Ibis. The reason, if I remember correctly, was that the probability of having one was near zero, so eBird data quality would not be impacted. Have no idea what his position would be today considering more Altlantic coast records. If good views are provided, we should watch for more sightings.
Here is the list copied from the PA Society for Ornithology website although I modified it to fit and added the 2nd Chester report plus corrected one date. I assume the rest is correct.
Notable Records since 1992 (and rarities prior to 1992)
P.S. Andrew Harrington also clarified in an email that the name “white-faced” is not a good one, because White-faced Ibis actually show lot of pink in the forehead. And both Ibises have some white lining around the bill. White-faced has a red iris while glossy will have dark iris, which is hard to picture from a distance.
