White-faced Ibis - Agassiz May 14

[Gord]

Just had a report come in from Agassiz by Barry of a lone White-faced Ibis in a field that he was plowing. It was hanging out with the crows who were also eating the worms and other creatures exposed by the plowing. Barry managed a couple shots with his cell phone which he allowed me to share. This was on May the 14th on McDonald Road just west of the fishing lodge. It might still be around, so Murray murraybrown or Kev Wetlander might well discover it again somewhere in their stomping grounds.

View from the tractor

7A5B5B9F-AAF3-41C7-AE71-8ECA5A6D3995 by Gord G, on Flickr


Before flying

F02AD913-399F-4F66-8416-9140CA285E20 by Gord G, on Flickr


In flight

7A5B5B9F-AAF3-41C7-AE71-8ECA5A6D3995a by Gord G, on Flickr


This is just the third record for the Fraser Valley. The first was way back in 1902 where a bird was collected (such was the bird watching methods of the day) in Chilliwack. The second was from Nicomen Island in 2019.

Thanks again, Barry, for your sharp eyes!

[oldfulica]

May 17, 2020 22:04:25 GMT -8 Gord said:

Just had a report come in from Agassiz by Barry of a lone White-faced Ibis in a field that he was plowing. It was hanging out with the crows who were also eating the worms and other creatures exposed by the plowing. Barry managed a couple shots with his cell phone which he allowed me to share. This was on May the 14th on McDonald Road just west of the fishing lodge. It might still be around, so Murray murraybrown or Kev Wetlander might well discover it again somewhere in their stomping grounds.


Thanks again, Barry, for your sharp eyes!

I see they were recorded as Glossy Ibis on ebird. Must have been a mistake? Are there not 2 in the picture, or is one a crow? Never the less, they are truly a great sighting.

[Gord]

Len, yes it was. It should be adjusted now to White-faced on eBird. There was just the one bird. The other actually looks a bit like a Turkey Vulture with the pale legs and paler flight feathers. The size difference that should exist isn't apparent in the photo if that is so.

I always had ibis pegged as shallow water wetland types but I guess I need to add plowed fields to the list of habitat to keep an eye on!

[oldfulica]

May 19, 2020 12:59:03 GMT -8 Gord said:

Len, yes it was. It should be adjusted now to White-faced on eBird. There was just the one bird. The other actually looks a bit like a Turkey Vulture with the pale legs and paler flight feathers. The size difference that should exist isn't apparent in the photo if that is so.

I always had ibis pegged as shallow water wetland types but I guess I need to add plowed fields to the list of habitat to keep an eye on!

Yes, I have seen them many times in Alberta and down south and they have always been around water.