White-faced Ibis

White-faced Ibis are now coming into the Canon City area good numbers including a flock of about 40 I saw today (like the photos here that I took in past years). It is really amazing how well birds can tell time--these birds come into the area when farmers are beginning to flood irrigate their fields, which is the preferred eating areas for these waterbirds in this area. They probe with their scythe-like bills for their aquatic prey.

The close-up photo shows both adult White-faced Ibis in breeding/alternate plumage (with a white-border around a reddish face with a red eye) and one "intermediate" plumage (per Sibley) that is possibly a hybrid (with red eye and reddish face but without the distinctive white border) between a White-faced and a Glossy Ibis.

There are now also a number of Great-tailed Grackles in the area. The males are displaying to attrack females for breeding.

SeEtta