Perched adult White-faced Ibis in breeding plumage – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Within the next few days large numbers of White-faced Ibis will be flying into northern Utah for the breeding season. The largest White-faced Ibis nesting colony in the world can be found in the marshes around the Great Salt Lake.
I get excited to see loose flocks of White-faced Ibis flying into the marshes at the beginning of their nesting season. They are especially beautiful when the light angle highlights the pink, bronze, purple, and green iridescence of their feathers. When White-faced Ibis are in breeding plumage it is easy to see how they got their common name, in nonbreeding plumage, not so much.
I photographed this White-faced Ibis last year at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge from the auto tour loop. I don’t often see ibis perching on anything in Utah so I was glad to get a nice series of this bird as it grasped the cattails with its feet in the marsh.
I enjoy seeing, photographing, and hearing flocks of White-faced Ibis at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Farmington Bay WMA and other marshy areas of Utah, Idaho, and Montana any time of the year. They can be fun and challenging to photograph.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my White-faced Ibis photos plus facts and information about this species.
They are so beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
I’ve never seen them in breeding plumage before
Love the contrasts of the Ibis against the cattails. Thanks Mia.
Breath-taking!
This just feels like “home” to me. It esthetically pushes every button for me.
Thank you, Mia!
They are beautiful in the sun. I saw a small group today flying over a wheat field.
As always I am grateful to the link to the call – an unmistakeable call.
And love the image too.
Pretty birds
I have such trouble distinguishing between the glossy and white-faced ibis. We’re said to have both species here on the Texas coast, but ID is tricky. I am certain I’ve never seen one in breeding plumage, though. This would be easy to spot!