Plegadis
Plegadis is a bird genus in the family Threskiornithidae. The genus name derives from Ancient Greek plegados, "sickle", referring to the distinctive shape of the bill. Member species are found on every continent except Antarctica as well as a number of islands. The glossy ibis is easily the most widespread of the three species. Plegadis contains the following three species:
Image | Scientific name | Common Name | Distribution |
Plegadis falcinellus | Glossy ibis | regions of Europe, Asia, Africa, Australia, and the Atlantic and Caribbean regions of the Americas | |
Plegadis chihi | White-faced ibis | western United States south through Mexico, as well as from southeastern Brazil and southeastern Bolivia south to central Argentina, and along the coast of central Chile. | |
Plegadis ridgwayi | Puna ibis | Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, and Peru |
A further two fossil species have been placed in the genus:
- Plegadis paganus from the Early Miocene deposits in France; however, it is now placed in Gerandibis pagana.
- Plegadis pharangites