Glossy Ibis

Plegadis falcinellus

'Glossy' is for the sheen on its dark feathers. Both halves of its scientific name mean 'sickle,' one in Greek and one in Latin, for that long curved bill.

Plegadis and falcinellus both mean 'sickle,' from Greek and Latin words. 'Ibis' comes from ancient Egyptian. Its relative, the sacred ibis, was linked to Thoth, the god of writing.