Glossy Ibis

Plegadis falcinellus

Other Names

    Ibis falcinelle, Ibis luisant   Sichler   Morito Común   Bronsibis   Zwarte Ibis   Mignattaio

World: Found on the Atlantic coast of N. America and the West Indies. Also S Europe, Africa, Madagascar, C and S Asia. the Philippines and thence S through Indonesia to Australia.

Kenya: Common in permanent wetlands and also widespread on marshy lakeshores and coastal lagoons.

This bird is present throughout the year in some locations (notably Lake Nakuru and Lake Naivasha) but in others it is a seasonal visitor. The increase in numbers in areas like Baringo suggests that some of the birds are migrants. The timing of the increase, November through April, suggests that they may be from the Palearctic. The only Kenyan breeding site currently in use is at Garsen.