Arizona hosts two ibis species, both considered rare visitors to the state. The White-faced Ibis (Plegadis chihi) is the more regularly encountered, appearing mainly as a migrant in spring and fall at marshes, flooded fields, and ponds, with smaller numbers lingering in summer or winter. Its chestnut body, long downcurved bill, and white facial border in breeding plumage distinguish it from other waders. The Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus), widespread in the Eastern U.S. and worldwide, is a casual to accidental visitor in Arizona, with scattered records—often detected among flocks of White-faced Ibises during migration. Separation in the field can be challenging; Glossy Ibises lack the White-faced Ibis’s bold white facial border and have a darker, bluish facial skin. Both species depend on wetland habitats, making them vulnerable to habitat loss in the arid Southwest.
White Ibis