Glossy Ibis

The glossy ibis is a water bird in the ibis and spoonbill family, 48–66cm long (average about 59cm) with a wingspan of 80–105cm. The scientific name derives from Greek and Latin words meaning 'sickle', referring to the shape of the bill. Breeding adults have reddish-brown bodies and strongly iridescent wing feathers, bottle-green to bronzed or purple depending on the light (Wikipedia, general species account).

It is the most widespread ibis species, breeding in scattered sites in warm regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia and the Atlantic and Caribbean regions of the Americas. It is migratory, most European birds wintering in Africa. In India, where it is resident in the west, colonies are now seen in agricultural areas and in forest with bamboo thickets, breeding alongside other colonial nesters (Wikipedia, general species account).