An Adult and a Juvenile White Faced Ibis Preen in the morning light Near Arapahoe National Wildlife Refuge in Walden Colorado.
While driving some backroads a few weekends ago a small group of White Faced Ibis few right over the car and landed in a small pond next to the road. We pulled a quick U-turn and got a chance to observe these guys for awhile. Just like each of our previous Ibis encounters it was short lived as they preened for 10-15 minutes and then flew off. They are amazing birds and that plumage.

I didn’t realize they had such beautiful colors all over them. I enjoyed this photo, as I do pretty much all of your photos. You do great work.
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Thanks, I was shocked at the colors on the Ibis the first time we saw them. They are quite amazing birds to say the least. Hope your day is going well.
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Such a handsome bird – the similar poses make a great shot.
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Hi Eliza, these are just two in a group of about 6 that landed in the same spot and pretty much all of them were striking a similar pose.
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was the person who named them confused. where’s that white face??
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The guy/gal on the left has a small white patch surrounding their eye and that is how they got the name white faced. A similar looking bird called the glossy Ibis does not have the white around the eye. Perhaps they named them this way to allow an easy distinction between the two?
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How wonderful to see and have the possibility to photograph these wonderful birds. You have shown up the plumage of the male to his advantage. I presume he wears his best bib and tucker this time of the year.
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Hi Paula and you are spot on about the males’ colors this time of year. They are dressed in their finest for sure.
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Fabulous photo! I agree, the plumage is awesome.
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Thanks, yes amazing plumage..every time I see them.
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Wonderful shot.
They look very much like our Glossy Ibis at Melbourne Zoo.
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Hi Vicki, yes these guys are very similar to the glossy Ibis in appearance except for the small white area surrounding the eyes on the adults I would be unable to tell them apart. Hope your day is going well.
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Love this shot, Mike. They are cool birds. I always learn a new nature fact from your posts- thanks!
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Thanks Jane, for me taking the photos leads to research about the birds we see out so by posting I learn as well. Hope you are having a great week so far.
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