Glossy Ibis at Heron Pond.

[Norm Erthal]

I may have caused some confusion by posting on eBird both Glossy and White-faced. I thought it would give me a good way to make comments about the one ibis there by adding comments using notes for the glossy. I was able to get great views zoomed to 60 power. The bird was clearly a white-faced as the facial skin was obviously red with a complete white border. The border was not bold indicating it was not in full breeding adult plumage. There seems to be some confusion that I had photos which is not the case. My plan was to later delete glossy from the checklist which I did.

Norm Erthal

Arvada

[jand...@comcast.net]

To supplement Norm Erthal’s email of yesterday below, I should apologize for my own waffling on the Heron Pond Ibis. I saw this bird on Monday 25 April and identified it (and posted it to ebird) as White-faced Ibis. For the reasons Norm cites, I saw no reason to doubt the id.

On Tuesday, I read an ebird post which, citing photos, had identified, presumably the same bird, as a Glossy. I then was prompted to review three poor photos I had snapped of the bird which, while ambiguous, to my surprise seemed to support Glossy. I then changed my post to Glossy.

When I got Norm’s clarifying email, I took another look at my photos, and recalling the opacity of Heron Pond mud, realized that in between my visual ID and the photos the aforesaid Ibis had devilishly dunked his bill and head in silt becoming Plegadis obscura.

 

I have again amended my post. Hopefully, no one spent a $5 gallon to go see a Glossy after my first amended post. In summation, even with photo “evidence”, sometimes “first thought, best thought” is more reliable. Or, it also calls to mind, “fool me once….., fool me twice….” Or however that goes. 😊

John Cobb

Denver

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