It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s the Glossy Ibis! Photographer Beverly Meekins recently captured these green-winged beauties as they visited the Pocosin Lakes National Wildlife Refuge.
Glossy ibis, known scientifically as Plegadis falcinellus, is a social species that forages and roosts in flocks and colonies. Small invertebrates, worms, crabs, shrimp, insects, snakes, fish, as well as grains and seeds comprise some of their diet.
When foraging for food in shallow water, the glossy ibis sweeps its bill in the water to possibly snag a meal. On land, in the soft soil, the ibis will press its long, curved bill into the earth in hopes of finding a worm, salamander or insect.
