Bird field guide · Ibises and Spoonbills

Photographing the Glossy Ibis

How to photograph the Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus): the right lens for its size, shutter speeds for perched and moving animals, and when it's most often seen (April and May).

55–85 cm1/2000 s
Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus)
Photo: © Atk3196, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) via iNaturalist
55–85 cm
Typical length (family range)
1/500 s
Shutter: perched / still
1/2000 s
Shutter: action / flight
f/6.3–f/8
Aperture
13,318
Research-grade sightings in N. America
ModeManual + Auto ISOLock shutter & aperture, let ISO float
Shutter (still)1/500 s
Shutter (action)1/2000 s
Aperturef/6.3–f/8
FocusAF-C + subject/eye detectionHerons and egrets stand still for long periods — wait for the strike or take-off and use continuous AF.
DriveHigh-speed burst
Lens100–400 mmFull-frame equivalent

Focal length needed to frame it#

For a subject about 70 cm long filling a third or half of the frame width horizontally.

Distance⅓ of frame (FF)½ of frame (FF)⅓ of frame (APS-C)⅓ of frame (MFT)
5 m (16 ft)83 mm125 mm56 mm42 mm
10 m (33 ft)167 mm251 mm111 mm83 mm
15 m (49 ft)250 mm376 mm167 mm125 mm
20 m (66 ft)334 mm501 mm223 mm167 mm
30 m (98 ft)501 mm752 mm334 mm250 mm
50 m (164 ft)834 mm1,253 mm556 mm417 mm

When to find it#

Jan: 9% Jan Feb: 8% Feb Mar: 11% Mar Apr: 15% Apr May: 15% May Jun: 10% Jun Jul: 8% Jul Aug: 6% Aug Sep: 4% Sep Oct: 3% Oct Nov: 5% Nov Dec: 7% Dec
Share of iNaturalist observations by month across North America. Peak months: April and May.

About the Glossy Ibis#

The glossy ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) is a wading bird in the ibis family Threskiornithidae. The scientific name derives from Ancient Greek plegados and Latin, falcis, both meaning "sickle" and referring to the distinctive shape of the bill.

Summary adapted from Wikipedia via iNaturalist (CC BY-SA 4.0).

Field-craft tips#

  • Feeding flocks move steadily — track and wait for the head-up moment.
  • Herons and egrets stand still for long periods — wait for the strike or take-off and use continuous AF.
  • Sightings peak in April and May, which is when you'll have the most chances.

Ethics#

  • The welfare of the animal comes first: if it changes its behaviour because of you, you are too close.
  • Stay on trails, respect closures around nests, leks, dens and haul-outs.
  • Avoid playback and baiting in sensitive seasons; never bait predators.
  • Don't share precise locations of rare, nesting or roosting animals publicly.

More Ibises and Spoonbills#

White Ibis White IbisEudocimus albus Roseate Spoonbill Roseate SpoonbillPlatalea ajaja White-faced Ibis White-faced IbisPlegadis chihi

Frequently asked questions#

What lens do I need to photograph a Glossy Ibis?

At about 70 cm long, a glossy ibis fills a third of a full-frame image at 10 m with roughly 167 mm, or at 20 m with 334 mm.

What shutter speed should I use for a Glossy Ibis?

1/500 s when it's still; 1/2000 s for action.

When is the best time to photograph a Glossy Ibis?

Observations in North America peak in April and May. Early morning and late afternoon give the best light and activity.

Sources & licences#

Last updated October 03, 2026 · How we calculate · Sources