Common name: Glossy Ibis
Scientific name: Plegadis falcinellus
Family: Threskiornithidae

Size:
Body length: 48–66 cm
Wingspan: 80–105 cm
Weight: 500–800 g

Identification:
A medium-sized wading bird with a slender body and a long, downcurved bill. Overall plumage appears dark brown at a distance, but in good light shows a rich iridescent sheen of green, bronze, and purple. In breeding season, adults may show fine pale lines around the face. Legs are dark, and the bill is greyish.

Habitat:
Wetlands, marshes, lagoons, flooded fields, and shallow freshwater or brackish habitats.

Status in the UAE:
Common resident and winter visitor. Often seen in wetlands and coastal areas.

Diet:
Carnivorous — feeds on insects, crustaceans, worms, small fish, and other aquatic invertebrates.

Behavior:
Feeds by probing its curved bill into mud or shallow water. Often seen in groups, sometimes forming large flocks. Flight is steady with neck outstretched and legs trailing behind. Frequently roosts and breeds in colonies.

Conservation status:
Least Concern (IUCN Red List)