White-Faced Ibis - (Plegadis chihi)

Very common year-round in Imperial Valley farm fields. They form long, black, snakey squadrons as they fly in formation every morning to feed during the day - and again every evening as they head home to roost. They only have a small white outline on the face that is hard to see unless you are up close. They use their long curved bills to probe for insects in muddy fields. Locally, they are commonly seen feeding with Cattle Egrets. If you place yourself along a field that is being irrigated, they will follow the water as it travels and will take little notice of you if you are still. As they approach, you can hear them making little grunts and gobble sounds.

If you are interested in learning more about this bird online - I recommend you start with the Patuxent Bird Identification InfoCenter, Patuxent Wildlife Research Center, Laurel, MD. http://www.mbr-pwrc.usgs.gov/Infocenter/infocenter.html

They present photographs, songs, identification tips, maps, and life history information for North American birds - including the White-Faced Ibis

OTHER OUTSIDE LINKS FOR THIS BIRD:

Threatened Species - A "Wildlife Fact Sheet" by the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department.

White-Faced Ibis - Notes, photo, and a link to the similar Glossy Ibis, are found on David Sarkozi's "Birds of the Upper Texas Coast" Web site.

White-Faced Ibis Article - Greg Gillson's "Article Archive" Web page from his former association with the Northwest Bird Watcher newsletter. Good information but lacks the photos and artwork from the published article.

The following "WAV" format sound file is copyrighted by Doug Van Gausig of Sedona, Arizona, as part of the "Sounds of Nature" Web site:

• http://www.naturesongs.com/wfib1.wav - White-Faced Ibis talking