Glossy Ibis
Scientific Name: Plegadis falcinellusMaltese Name: Velleran
Family: Storks and Ibises (Ciconiiformes)
Occurence: Very Scarce and irregular
Breeds in Malta: No
Overview:
The Glossy Ibis is an elegant bird with dark purple brown plumage with a distinctive curlew-like down curved bill. It is a bird of marshes and reeds. Since this habitat is not found in Malta on large scale this bird rarely actually stops over. It is seen solitary or sometimes in disordered flocks. Unfortunately its habitat in Europe is vulnerable; being destroyed or altered. Many migrate to central Africa. At first glance, can be mixed up with the Cormorant. Its bill is used to forage shallow water, in search of invertebrates. It builds its nest in reeds, often in colonies.
Status:
Very Scarce migrant, with some years recorded in good numbers while in others it is not recorded at all.
When to See:
Spring in late March, April and occasionally in May. Autumn in September and October.
Where to See:
At Ghadira Nature Reserve, occasionally a bird stops for a while. It Isn't regular and it's a matter of being at the right place at the right time. In Spring mostly seen in flocks from Cirkewwa, passing thorugh the Gozo or Comino Channels.
Photographs:
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Glossy Ibis, Simar Nature Reserve, 25th October 2010 |
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| Glossy Ibis at Qawra, 4th October 2010 | Migrating flock of Glossy Ibis, Comino, 7th April 2010 |
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Glossy Ibis, Simar Nature Reserve, 25th October 2010 |
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| Glossy Ibis at Ghadira Nature Reserve, 6th April 1980 | Glossy Ibis at Simar Nature Reserve, 27h April 2004 |
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